5,000 set to celebrate carnival
More than 5,000 people are expected on the streets of Newark for the town’s annual carnival.
Newark Carnival, on Sunday, July 12, is now in its third year and organisers say it will be the best yet.
A director of the carnival, Mrs June Rowlands, said more than 25 groups would take part in the procession of floats through the town and more than 1,000 people would march in the parade.
An estimated 4,000 are expected to watch the procession.
Mrs Rowlands told Newark Business Club that the event was a great way of raising the town’s profile.
“It is going to be the biggest hit in Newark this year,” she said.
The parade will be led by the 1st Balderton Scout and Guide Band and will begin at Riverside Park at 2pm.
The vice-chairman of Newark and Sherwood District Council, Mr Tom Bickley, will be among the dignitaries starting the parade off.
After advice from the police, the route has been changed slightly this year and the parade will turn right on to Castlegate from Beastmarket Hill.
It will move on to Lombard Street before stopping at the junction with Cartergate.
After a short break it will move along Albert Street and arrive at Sconce and Devon Park via Boundary Road.
The route, which is just under two miles, will take around 45 minutes to complete.
Mrs Rowlands has called for businesses on the route to decorate their premises with bunting to add to the carnival feel.
The bunting will be provided by the carnival committee but Mrs Rowlands said they would not have time to put it up.
When the carnival procession arrives at the park it will join the Sconcefest event organised by the Friends of Sconce and Devon Park.
Thousands are expected at the park, where there will be a live entertainment stage with music, demonstrations and displays, including some by those taking part in the carnival.
This year’s theme is Newark At The Movies and entries so far include Shrek, Snow White, Finding Nemo, Robin Hood, Grease, Austin Powers and Mamma Mia.
Members of Hawton WI will emulate characters from The Calendar Girls, based on a real story about a WI group from Yorkshire.
Some of the sponsorship for this year’s event is being used to pay for a workshop to help pupils put together their carnival float.
Pupils at Hawtonville Junior School and Christ Church Infants’ School will be helped by a professional artist on July 2.
More information about the event is available at
