More than 1,000 participants will take to the streets of Ryde for New Carnival Company’s (NCC) spectacular Mardi Gras next weekend (Saturday 29th June).
The local Biosphere Island theme has been supporting IW Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty’s (AONB) bid for the Isle of Wight to become a UNESCO Biosphere reserve. It was announced earlier this week that this bid was successful.
Everyone is invited to join the Mardi Gras party to watch this colourful parade filled with music and dance meander through the streets of Ryde, celebrating everything that makes our incredible Island so special.
Participating local schools and community groups have been working under headings including wildlife, landscape and recreation, with schools selecting subjects they can link to the National curriculum. All have been partnered with a local heritage, cultural or environmental organisation such as Dinosaur Isle, iWatch Wildlife, Briddlesford Lodge Farm or The Shipwreck Centre to learn about their topic from the experts, and receive support and information to inspire their creative costume designs.
Isle of Wight Mardi Gras is recognised as one of the leading carnival models in the UK for its school engagement, education program and promotion of creativity, and organisers NCC have also been providing the groups with guidance and workshops throughout the project.
Frankie Goldspink, creative director at NCC, said:
“We’re delighted that IW AONB has succeeded in its bid for the Island to become a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, and everyone has been working hard to create a parade that celebrates the best the Island has to offer. Schools, community groups and partner organisations have been really embracing the concept of Biosphere, and getting everyone to feel a part of it.
Article continues below this advertisement “We can’t wait to celebrate all this creativity, along with the Islands new Biosphere Reserve status, with the public on 29 June.”
This vibrant parade will be representing the many elements that make our beautiful Island unique, from wall lizards and fossils to Carisbrooke Castle and Bouldnor Forest. The NCC’s 2019 Mardi Gras work is supported by IW AONB, Arts Council England, East Wight Landscape Partnership ‘Down to the Coast’ and Ryde Town Council.
The parade gets underway at 15:00 on Saturday 29th June.
