| Carnival history | The Nottingham Carnival began in the 1970's when it was based in the Meadows. It eventually moved to the Forest Recreation Ground when more of the African Caribbean community became involved. However, initially because of health and safety fears and latterly because of funding issues, the carnival has been cancelled on several occasions. |
This year's Nottingham Caribbean Carnival is on its way. And it looks like it'll be as big and colourful as ever. All the action is free and takes place on Saturday 12 and Sunday 13 August at the Forest Recreation Ground, Nottingham. Expect live music from Soca and Reggae to Breakbeat with performances from local acts such as V Rocket, Success and KD Infinity. Leslie Robinson, the Carnival organiser says, "I would encourage the whole of Nottingham to come out and see this tremendous event. It's one of the most exciting, multicultural events of its kind."
 | | Organiser Leslie Robinson |
There'll also be Caribbean food, a funfair, stalls and of course the procession. Last year around 30,000 people went along to get a taste of the Caribbean. The procession The highlight of the Carnival for many people is the procession. This year it'll be held on the Sunday afternoon. The streets around the Forest Recreation Ground will be filled with bright coloured costumes, music and dancing. The floats will set off from Pelham Road at 2.00pm and will wile their way through the streets of the city for the next three hours as they makes their way to the Carnival site. Then the troops that take part in the parade will be performing on stage. Local groups will have been putting their costumes together in the weeks before hand and about 20 floats take part with their pumping music and colourful designs. As organiser Leslie Robinson explains they want people to support the parade by lining the streets. "Line the route and encourage the people taking part in the parade, they love to see people out there enjoying it whilst they're dancing and entertaining. Give them as much support as you can."
The procession starts at Pelham Road, moving on to Sherwood Rise, Nottingham Road, Gregory Boulevard, Radford Boulevard, Ilkeston Road, Highurst Street, Alfreton Road, Bentick Road, finishing up at the Forest Recreation Ground. Family event This community event is for everyone, bringing together the wide variety of cultures across Nottingham. As Leslie sums up, "It's very much a community event, a family event - and we encourage the whole of Nottingham to join in the festivities." It's all happening at the Forest Recreation Ground on Saturday 12th and Sunday 13th August 2006. The procession is on the Sunday afternoon starting at 2.00pm. Carnival on the airwaves BBC Radio Nottingham's Errol Mundle is taking his Sunday show out to join in the festivities. He'll be broadcasting live from the event between 4.00pm and 7.00pm. So, if you can't make it, listen to all the sounds of the Carnival on BBC Radio Nottingham 103.8FM, 95.5FM and DAB digital radio. | 
