UPDATED WITH GALLERY: The Island’s carnival season got underway tonight (Saturday) as a parade of colour moved through the streets of Newport.
Despite an amber weather warning being in place for heavy rain, the sun continued to shine with temperatures in the mid-20s as the procession made its way from Matalan car park, up South Street to Trafalgar Road and back down the High Street, coming to a end in Quay Street.
Thousands of spectators lined the street of the Island’s county town to celebrate all things carnival with all enjoying the show of community spirit. The annual event, which will be held again in the dark for the Illuminated carnival in August, was led by Newport Fire Station with their aerial appliance, followed by Medina Marching Band in a show of their traditional red colours and Newport Queen’s ‘A touch of Vintage’ float – an old style pink American car.
Tableaux from Ryde Carnival was well received with a nod to the former PS Ryde, whilst Sandown’s 125th year anniversary float went down well with the children with a champagne bottle design complete with bubbles.
The 25-minute long display included performances from the Vectis Corps of Drums and Ryde Extreme stilt walkers.
The carnival moves to Sandown on Friday for Sandown’s children’s procession followed by Sandown main carnival on Saturday.
