From dancers to doughnuts, churros to charity stalls, Morris Minors to charabancs, Douglas Carnival on Saturday July 19th promises to be a standout event for the capital and the Isle of Man.

Back after too long a break, the Carnival has attracted some of the Island’s leading companies as sponsors and some of the Island’s most inventive entrants as well.

Right now garages and workshops around the Island are humming to the sound of hammering and drilling as floats are being prepared while spare rooms and front rooms are filling up with fabulous feathers and sequins as the finishing touches are being put to costumes.

The day kicks off at 2pm with a whole host of fun-filled activities on Loch Promenade – dancing, gymnastic displays, food outlets – from churros to chicken - charity stalls, music and much more. Come 6.30pm the Carnival begins with a grand procession from Strathallan right down to the Sea Terminal: expect an extravaganza of floats, bands, classic cars and bikes, wheelie bin designs that put the ‘drag’ into drag race, a Carnival king and queen, and more music than you can shake a baton at.

And then there’s more – a whole lot more - at the after party when the Bottleneck car park area takes, literally, centre stage, and where Okell’s are setting up a bar and there’ll be bands performing all evening.

Town centre manager Michelle O’Malley said: ‘The Carnival’s been many months in the making but it’s all coming together brilliantly now. There’s been a really strong sense of community and partnership throughout the planning stages and we’re so grateful to everyone who’s been involved, especially to our sponsors for their vision and support. The Carnival is set be a fantastic event that’s taken a huge amount of effort by so many people to bring together, so even if you’re not actually taking part, please come down to the promenade and show your support  Everyone’s keen to make sure the Carnival’s a great success…and it will be.’

douglascarnival.im