Douglas promenade is set to echo to the sounds of Rio and Notting Hill after Douglas Borough Council and Douglas Development floated the inspirational idea to re-launch the Douglas carnival next year in support of Island of Culture 2014.
Expect floats ablaze with colour, costume parades, street performers, a taste of cuisines from around the Island and around the world...and everywhere music as Douglas dances to the beat of the samba when the carnival comes to town on Sunday July 20th 2014 along the stretch of Douglas promenade from the Summerland site to the Villa Marina and when the Council’s annual fun day, traditionally held in Noble’s Park, relocates to form part of the festivities.
Regeneration and community advisory committee lead member Councillor Stephen Pitts said: ‘Members are united in their support of the Carnival which will provide an opportunity for the Council to showcase its expertise in a number of areas such as parks and gardens and draw on amenities such as the Henry Bloom Noble Library and the horse trams to contribute to what I am confident will be a truly memorable community event.’
Council leader Councillor David Christian said: ‘The Council is experienced in ensuring the success of high-profile crowd-pleasing events such as the Christmas lights switching-on ceremony and the fireworks display on Douglas beach. Events such as these and the Douglas Carnival 2014 not only have the power to bring the community together and create a vibrant atmosphere in the town, but also present new and exciting opportunities for voluntary and charitable organisations as well as local enterprises to benefit. The Council and Douglas Development Partnership look forward to working with the local community in all its diversity and will, of course, welcome sponsorship to create what has the potential to be truly spectacular event.’
Development manager Chris Pycroft said: ‘With 2014 set to be the largest celebration of culture and the arts the Island has ever seen, it would seem the perfect occasion to revive the Douglas carnival which we hope will serve to showcase the wealth of talent that exists here. In recent years the promenade has demonstrated how well suited it is to hosting large-scale community events, from three-legged races to craft fairs; the carnival provides yet another opportunity for it to take centre stage as a magnificent expanse of performance and entertainment space.
‘At this stage we’re simply asking for people to register to receive more information. The carnival is only in the very early days of planning and there are many unknowns at the moment. What we do know, however, is that the people of Douglas and the Isle of Man know how to put on a show, so we’re confident that the 2014 Douglas Carnival will be an amazing street festival.’
To register for more information about Douglas Carnival 2014 email carnival@douglas.gov.im.
For carnival updates, follow Douglas Town Centre Management and Douglas Borough Council on Facebook.
