Over the upcoming bank holiday weekend there will be an explosion of colour and the sound of steel pan drums hitting the streets of Leeds bringing various events to Leeds as part of the 2016 Leeds West Indian Carnival.
The event which was founded by Arthur France is Europe’s longest running authentic Caribbean carnival parade and brings with it the best of carnival culture.
The Carnival will be hosting events around Leeds from Friday 26th August to Monday 29th August 2016 including the Leeds Carnival King & Queen Show at the West Yorkshire Playhouse, the Calypso Monarch Show and the J’ouvert Morning at the Leeds West Indian Centre, with the main event, the Big Leeds Carnival Parade taking place on the Monday 29th August 2016.
The whole weekend promises to provide a brilliant atmosphere for friends and families within which they can enjoy some great music and Caribbean foods. The Big Leeds Carnival Parade will provide an unrivalled atmosphere with the addictive sound of the Caribbean ringing through the streets while the troupes will provide beautiful and spectacular costumes and floats.
Ruth Bundey of Harrison Bundey will once again be taking part in this year’s festivities and will be taking part in the Harrison Bundey troupe, Mama Dread’s Bird of Paradise which will be taking part in the Carnival Parade in memory of Athaliah Durrant who put endless amounts of energy into previous troupes that have taken part in the Parade.
Ruth has commented on the Carnival stating that “the weekend and especially Monday promises to be spectacular. And just wait for next year: our Carnival’s 50th anniversary”.
The Carnival Parade will be starting and finishing in Potternewton Park, Harehills Avenue, Leeds with the Parade commencing at 2:00pm. If you have the chance, make sure you don’t miss out on the entertainment the Carnival weekend will be bringing to Leeds.
For more information on the 2016 Leeds West Indian Carnival simply click here.