Carnival comes to town

10th June 2010

Rio style parade planned

The streets of St.Helens come alive next month (17 July) when the St.Helens International Festival gets underway.

Focal point of the dazzling occasion will be a huge parade – packed with Rio-style colour, sound and energy and featuring music, dance and street entertainment from around the world.

Fantastic carnival costumes of all shapes and sizes will be on display – with participants invited to create their own outfits. Local groups can get cracking on their costumes at special workshops on Friday 18 and Saturday 19 June (11am - 4pm) at St.Helens Town Hall.

Anyone who wants to take part – and in the parade too - must be over 16. Workshop places are strictly limited and must be booked in advance - by calling 01744 673495 or emailing: jonholden@sthelens.gov.uk

If you’re interested in being involved in the parade, but can't make the workshops, you can still take part – by donning a ready-made costume. Contact Jon Holden to book your place.

Councillor Barrie Grunewald, Cabinet Member for Culture, Communications and Town Centre, said: “It will be a fantastic occasion – and will be the first of many new events aimed at breathing new life into the town centre.

The carnival will provide entertainment on a spectacular scale, with local people lining up alongside top entertainers from around the world, bringing the streets of St.Helens alive with colour, music and dance. This is an event which should not be missed.”