CARNIVAL NEWS - The theme this year is ECO
CARNIVAL 2022 is going ahead
We are pleased to confirm that Carnival 2022 will take place this year. It has been a struggle and we have had to make some changes but the River Float competition, the Duck Races the Arena and the Meadow Fete will all be going ahead.
Sadly a few of the group that organises and runs Carnival have moved on to other things and so we have reluctantly decided to not have a Parade this year. If anyone feels like they could help next year we would love to talk with you.
You don't have to sign up for the whole year (although it would be great if you did). Any contribution is welcome, and in fact often it is the people that can only help for a few hours on Carnival Day itself that make the difference.
Whether you can come to the dozen or so meetings, can help run the duck races or just enjoy telling people where they can park their cars we can use all the help we can get.
For more information on how you can help, or if you just have some questions, please email us at carnival@bishopstokepc.org.
STALL HOLDERS
Carnival Sunday on the Meadow is an opportunity for local groups and businesses to have a stall. This year the Meadow is open to the public from Noon until 5pm, and the Arena events should run from 1pm to 4pm.
Stalls are allocated on a first come first served basis, so get your applications in quickly. Proper application forms will be added to this page soon but in the meantime you can just contact us to request a spot and we will get back to you to confirm your booking.
This year we are not able to supply gazebos so you must bring your own if you want one. You also need to let us know if you want to bring a generator. Whilst we will do out best to accommodate requests for specific locations on the Meadow we will also be looking at making sure stalls of a similar type are spread around the Meadow and not all clustered together.
Stall fees this year have been kept at £15 if you are a charity or community group, £20 if you are a small, run from home, business, and £25 for any larger businesses.
If you have any questions, or simply want to book a stall, please email carnival@bishopstokepc.org.
PARADE NEWS
Sadly there is no main parade this year as we do not have enough volunteers to run it.
However, there is still a carnival theme - this year we are thinking "Eco" - helping the environment, planting trees, recycling materials, renewable energy, that sort of thing. There will be a prize for the best costume reflecting the theme on Sunday 11th September, so whether you are a crafty kid, a play group, a family or anyone else for that matter, why not dress up in a way that reflects our theme and have some fun.
RIVER FLOATS & DUCK RACES
The River Float competition has been moved to Sunday morning but will still start at 10am. In recent years Stoke Park Junior School have proven a tough act to beat. Is anyone going to be able to take their crown away this time?
This year because of the changing nature of Bishy Beach anyone watching the River Floats will be asked to stand on the pavement or road. Don't panic, we are applying to close that section of road so everyone will be safe. The winning entries will be announced at 11am and although sticking to the Eco theme is not compulsory it will get extra points for that float!
The river floats will be followed at 11:15 by the duck races. This is a change of day AND a change of location for the ducks, so lets hope they don't get homesick and try to wander off down any side streams!
This year we hope to be selling raffle tickets and duck race entries early so keep an eye out on the website and the parish noticeboards for more information.
For more details and entry forms please contact us at carnival@bishopstokepc.org.
CARNIVAL GRANTS
Each year the Carnival gives out a series of small grants to local charities and community groups. If you are interested in applying and the amount you need for your project is no more than £300 then download an application form and send it back to us, either through the post to the Parish Office, Riverside, Bishopstoke, SO506LQ, or by email to carnival@bishopstokepc.org.
CARNIVAL QUIZZES
This year we won't be running any quizzes unfortunately, but we still hope to have a Carnival Team enter a number of the local pub quizzes, so keep an eye out for us when you're there. We'll be happy to answer any questions you might have about Carnival, sign you up to volunteer, or maybe even sell you a raffle ticket or a duck!
CARNIVAL HELPERS
Carnival only happens because of the help of a small group of volunteers. We are always looking for extra help so whether you want to be part of the group that organises it all or whether you can only help on the day, please get in touch.
To help generally please email carnival@bishopstokepc.org and we'll get back to you as soon as we can.
SCAVENGER HUNT
This year for the first time we are holding a Scavenger Hunt. This is being organised by members of the Unison union at the Borough Council and will feature our Eco theme.
The Hunt takes place on Sunday 21st August from 3pm on Glebe Meadow.
It costs £1 to take part which can be paid in advance (details on how to do that coming soon) or on the day. There will be several different categories based on age so no matter how old you are there will be a challenge for you.
We look forward to seeing you there.
