Notting Hill Carnival originally started as an offshoot of the Trinidad Carnival in 1964. Notting Hill Carnival has become an internationally acclaimed event which remains true to its Caribbean roots. Notting Hill Carnival is London's most vibrant celebration of diversity, colour and sound.
Notting Hill Carnival is today Europe's largest street festival with hundreds of thousands of regular visitors enjoying live Masquerade bands, Soundsystems, street food, dancing, parades and much more.
More than 1,000,000 visitors are expected during 2008 August Carnival Bank Holiday weekend (24-25 August 2008).
Here are some of the highlights to look out for:
- Mas (masquerade) bands - costumes bands providing the colour of the Carnival Steel pans or ‘pan’ – a unique Caribbean instrument that can emulate the sound of
- Calypso music – recognized as the first music of the Caribbean. Artists sing about topical subjects and comment about major events
- Static sound systems – groups of DJs located at various points throughout the carnival route, playing the lively music that will keep everyone dancing over the next two days
- Mobile sound systems – the DJs that travel with mas bands along the carnival route, keeping the costumed dancers moving
- Food – Visitors will be able to enjoy a wide selection of foods at the Carnival. Cuisine from the Caribbean, Africa and other regions from the world will be on offer.
Some facts about the Noting Hill Carnival
- The carnival route is 3.5 miles long.
- Over 50,000 young people and adults will be participating in Carnival.
- 70 performing units comprised of masquerade bands and mobile sound systems, and 16 steel bands will participate in the procession
- There are around 41 static sound systems located within the carnival area.
- Over 16,000 different songs will be played
- There will be 300 food stalls, 1 ton of rice & peas and Jamaican patties will be consumed.
- 5 million hot and cold drinks will be consumed
- Over 1 million hours go into making and decorating the 15,000 costumes including 150,000 feather plumes and 30 million sequins 100 litres of decorative body paint will be used
For more information visit:
http://www.nottinghillcarnival.biz
Images from the Notting Hill Carnival
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