THE CROWDS came out and the weather held out for Bromsgrove Carnival weekend which ran from last Friday to Sunday.
The event kicked off on Friday night with outdoor cinema screenings in Sanders Park of Sing and Mamma Mia.
The screen was also used as the centrepiece for a football fan zone on Sunday when the Euro 2024 final was also shown live in the park.
On Saturday was the main event with the parade journeying from North Bromsgrove High School to Sanders Park.
Picture by Bromsgrove Carnival. s
Hundreds lined the streets to see a host of lorry and walking floats, providing the perfect start to the day’s proceedings.
The Paris 2024 Olympic-themed procession was led by Bromsgrove Town Crier Kevin Ward and Samba band Someone at the Door which provided the rhythm.
Among the groups in the line-up were Supreme Stars Dance Academy, SJP Theatre Arts, Chloe May’s Dance Academy, Stage Door Dance Academy, the Girl Guides, The Hub – Bromsgrove and Libby Mae’s Little Angels.
There were also a number of schools participating, including St Peter’s Catholic First, The Orchards, Rigby Hall, Millfields First, Chadsgrove and Lickey End First.
The winning lorry float went to Lickey End First School, participating in its first ever Bromsgrove Carnival parade and the best walking float went to The Stage Door Dance Academy which has been in the procession for the last 22 years.
Picture by Bromsgrove Carnival. s
In keeping with the Olympic theme, judging them was London 2012 torch bearer Richard Salter.
He said: “They were all brilliant – choosing the winners was a very difficult task.
“There was so much energy from The Stage Door dancers with their routines and fantastic choreography – I used the reaction of the crowds to help me pick the best floats.”
Suzanne Scriven, the PFA treasurer at Lickey End First School, said: “The parade was amazing – all the parents have come and helped out behind the scenes and we can’t believe we have won in our first Bromsgrove Carnival.
“It was a real community effort and the children had an absolute ball.”
Martina Ponsonby from The Stage Door Dance Academy, added: “This is our third win and we are over the moon – it was a real team effort.
“The way they all danced the route – including some who are just three years old – was phenomenal.”
In the carnival arena in the park, there were a host of stalls from charities and organisations, a funfair, live music and performances from a host of groups, including the iSing Choir Supreme Stars Dance Academy, Chloe May’s Dance Academy, Rising Stars, The Orchards School Choir and Spirals Dance and Performance.
