Saturday 13th August 2016 saw the revival of the Huntingdon Carnival. More than 120 people took part in the traditional Carnival Parade through the streets of Huntingdon Town. The procession lead by the Blue Vision Twirlers, the Mayor, the Carnival Queen and her Court, the Cambridgeshire Caledonian Pipe Band, Hunters Down Care Centre, Noddy in his Car, the (borrowed) St Ives Town Crier, 17 different national flags, Tesco’s Supermarket, Campol Boxing Club, Dance Generation, Cromwell Vets, The Caledonian Society, Zuma fitness club with Debs and many, many more. The ‘Best in the Parade Trophy’ was presented to the Tesco Store for their great efforts at brightening the procession with their Carnival dress by the Mayor of Huntingdon, Cllr Daryl Brown. The weather for the event was glorious and the sun shone down on all the features of the programme; the dog show, the arena events and dog agility show which took place in the Riverside Park.
The Carnival which had not been seen in Huntingdon for 14 years was an amazing success. After a false start last year which had to be abandoned, last year’s Mayor, Cllr Bill Hensley was the moving force behind the formation of a new Carnival Committee which put together this year’s extravaganza.
Cllr Hensley was delighted with the Carnival and said “The Carnival has a great atmosphere and I am pleased that people in Huntingdon have turned out in their hundreds to support their Carnival.”
The two day Carnival incorporated the HCR104fm’s “Live in the Park” on Sunday which had moved across from its normal Bloomfield Park to become part of the festivities. Seven local acts played to hundreds of relaxed residents who enjoyed the summer sun. The headline act was “Back to the 80’s” which was greeted by great applause from the crowd. The whole Carnival was reported and broadcast live by HCR104fm’s outside broadcast unit to everyone across the Ouse Valley.
The Carnival Committee are working towards 2017 being a bigger and better and even more colourful Carnival.
