21/06/2010

City Carnival 'Basked In Sunshine'

Over 20,000 people lined the streets of Belfast on Saturday as the annual City Carnival welcomed Lord Mayor, Councillor Pat Convery into office.

Giant floats, big carnival bands, puppets - some human (as pictured here) - and some not - of all sizes and hundreds of performers paraded through the city centre, and participants and onlookers also enjoyed the associated 'Puppet Picnic' at City Hall.

There was music and special themed entertainment at the City Hall from 12 noon, and the 'Picnic' then kicked off when the parade arrived into the grounds after a parade from Custom House Square.

The City Hall grounds were then transformed into a giant open air family party zone for the afternoon, with music and entertainment getting the party right the way through to 5.30pm.

The day's events were then rounded off with a Carnival Party at the Mandela Hall at 8pm.

The Belfast City Carnival was organised by Belfast City Council, with artistic direction being provided by BEAT - funded by Belfast City Council, the Arts Council of Northern Ireland, Arts Lottery, Legacy Trust UK, the Department for Social Development and the European Regional Development Fund under the Peace III Programme.

David Boyd, Director of BEAT, fulfilled his promise to provide a wondrous feast of colour and sound: "We have been working with community groups from the four corners of the city," he said.

"This is the first year, the parade has finished at the the City Hall, which is at the heart of the city and a place for everyone. The sunshine today has been perfect," he said.

The new Lord Mayor said: "It has been fantastic. A real chance for people to participate in a lively day."

(BMcC/GK)

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