Crowds lined the streets to watch a colourful parade as Margate Carnival took place on Sunday (August 3).
The carnival has been a significant and much loved part of the Margate calendar for more than 120 years.
This year’s parade had more than 40 entries ranging from the Heritage Kent Carnival Courts, Sea Cadets, Cycling UK who were promoting free cycling events in Thanet, ARK Cliftonville, care homes and children’s charities, dance schools, majorettes, the ever joyful Westgate resident Wilfred Jenkins and local pubs, as well as groups of leading carnival artists brought in by the artistic directors Great British Carnival, to add even more spectacular elements.
Highlights included Notting Hill winners, Mahogany Arts, in stunning blue and white costumes, the ever popular Sparkles Belly Dancers, local Samba band, Samba Ya Wantsum and Tinkus Puros Miski – a spectacular high energy Bolivian indigenous folk dance troop.
Jack Packman, from Margate Carnival CIC, said: “So many people lined the streets to admire the parade. Everyone really came together and had so much fun.
“We were proud to provide a great procession, lots of fun, dancing in the streets and a carnival that celebrated the whole town.”
Teresa Askew, Thanet based artistic director of Great British Carnival, said: “Once again we were proud to arrange a real a Summer Sizzler for you, and with the brilliant Margate Soul Weekender on too, celebrating their 25th anniversary, Margate was the place to be for the perfect street party vibe.”
Marion Pearce, Miss Ramsgate Court Manager, added: “Yesterday was a good day, the Courts all enjoyed themselves and they had a lovely time, the crowds were all receptive to their waving and they clapped and applauded as we went by.”
Jimmy Edwards, another GBC director from Margate, said he was overjoyed to be working with the team from Mahogany Arts and is looking forward to further collaborations with them in the future.
Jack Packman announced today (August 4) that from next year Great British Carnival, which has bases in Thanet and London and have been involved with Margate Carnival most years since 2013, will take on the full production of the event, with a view to developing it further in the future.
Frank Sweeney, Great British Carnival CEO, who has been a big part of the parades in Margate and in Ramsgate, will be leading on the organisational side and looking for more volunteers to get involved – as well as continuing to work with many existing volunteers.
Frank said: “We are keen to strengthen existing and develop new partnerships across Margate’s diverse creative, cultural, education and business sectors.”
The GBC team want to talk to everyone who is interested in being part of or supporting the parade in 2026 and beyond.
This year’s Carnival was supported by Prospects UK, Guildcrest Estates, Social Enterprise Kent and Margate Beach Club.
See @margatecarnival on Facebook and Instagram and the event’s new website: margatecarnival.org fora contact form for people to register interest or send ideas for the future of the Carnival.
You can also email [email protected]
