Ilkley Carnival broke all of its own records this week with just under 1,400 people in its Mardi Gras themed parade.
Local schools – including for the first time three from outside of the town – play groups, organisations, performers and musicians created a celebratory carnival atmosphere as a vibrant display of costume, music and dance wowed crowds estimated to be over 15,000 lining the streets.
The energetic procession worked its way from Ilkley’s Memorial Gardens to the carnival showground on Denton Road as photographers, tv crews and onlookers caught every moment of the feel-good start to the town’s biggest one-day event of the year.
Linda Spinks, headteacher of Addingham Primary School, which joined the parade for the first time, said: “We had an absolutely brilliant day. The parade was so well organised it made it a not too stressful experience organising our team. We loved the atmosphere and the prize giving at the end was lovely. It was a fantastic experience for our children and school and I even ended up on the tv!”
Natasha Persson Graves from ND Dance whose dance troupe performed for crowds in the main arena, also commented on how well organised the day was. She added: “I’m proud of how everyone created an event that ran as well as any huge festival in the UK!”
Jane Elliott, chair at Moor Time, which provides fun respite for young people with additional needs, said everyone had a “grand time” at the event with their “Brazilian Samba” themed parade entry being a big hit. She added: “It's wonderful to give the young people the opportunity to be part of a community event that embraces all abilities. The carnival makes accessibility and inclusion a priority, so all our families enjoy the day. We're looking forward to next year already."
Committee chair Andrew Stacey said that while funds raised and footfall figures are still being assessed, the event surpassed all expectations in what has been a challenging year for the organisers.
“Thanks to the incredible people of our town, Ilkley Carnival just keeps on getting better and while raising funds for our local beneficiaries is vitally important to us, we also want to create an event that is part of the fibre of our community and which lives in the memories of the children and those involved and those who visit.
“As a small committee of volunteers we are so proud of how the carnival – despite all the challenges this year of increased costs and changes in legislation – is evolving and providing such an inclusive event for every corner of our community to engage with and enjoy.”
Winners of the Matt King Best in Parade Trophy were Ashlands Primary School for their Yorkshire Folklore and Fantasy Reborn display. Other entries included WTA Dance Academy with “Mardi Gras”, Askwith Primary with “Welcome to the Jungle”, Ben Rhydding Pre-School with “Carnival Birds”, Sacred Heart with “Masquerade on the Moors”, Addingham Primary with “Boomwhacker Bashers”, All Saints Primary with “World of Mardi Gras”, Moorfield Primary with “Samba”, Ben Rhydding Primary with “Yorkshire Mardi Gras”, Burley Oaks Primary with “Samba Dragons”, Westville house with “Mardi Gras Around the World”, , Ashlands Vets and Ilkley Pride.
Mayor of Ilkley Karl Milner added to praise for the event, saying: “The carnival brings the whole town together to celebrate what's great about today's Ilkley: creativity, good humour, diversity and a commitment to community. The event, like the costumes, gets bigger and more wonderfully outrageous every year. The organisers have the thanks of the entire town and we're looking forward to next year already.”
The parade also included marching air cadets from Ilkley’s 1224 Wharfedale Squadron, Ilkley Pride & Diversity, music from Punjabi Roots, Otley Brass Band, Leeds Pipe Band and a rousing lead from Town Cryer Isabel Ashman. It finished at East Holmes Field showground where entertainment included the bicycle stunt team Defying Gravity, the All Saints Church Craft Tent, fun dog show trade and charity stalls and the Ilkley Rocks stage featuring live local bands.
Andrew added: “On behalf of the committee we would like to thank the incredible efforts of everyone involved and the unprecedented level of support from local businesses including our main sponsor Ilkley BID, Bradford Grammar School and SD Property Group. We really can’t wait to do it all again next year!”
Images from the day are now available on the Ilkley Carnival website www.ilkleycarnival.org and for news updates follow @IlkleyCarnival on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook.
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