PICTURE GALLERY: Carnival lit up the streets of Ryde on Saturday night as the Summer season drew to a close with the annual Ryde Illuminated Carnival making it’s way through the streets of the seaside town in front of thousands of spectators.
After what has been a wash out August, the current great weather stayed true for the evening procession, which moved off from the Esplanade at 20:30 and followed it’s normal full length route. It was led by a traditional marching band and Ryde Carnival Queens.
Dazzling displays, shining lights and a mix of music from around the world entertained the masses with carnival queens from across the Island coming together for one last time for the 2015 carnival season.
Wight Karting rounded off the procession with a selection of their go-karts whizzing around under powerful disco lights. Proving popular with the crowds were the brightly-lit floats of Newport Queens and Cowes Queens, plus the Back to the Future DeLorean. The Wight Strollers’ OAP ballet grannies were met with a round of applause.
The Island’s carnival scene has seen a recent drop in the amount of float entries, with a bigger emphasis now appearing on dancers and bands of which there was plenty, with the Island’s traditional marching bands performing alongside samba.
