By Isle of Wight Observer
There was rain in the air, but, thankfully, it stayed away when it mattered as the first carnival of the season took place in Newport on Saturday.
The crowds were in full force lining the route in the town as a parade which included American police cars, marching bands, tractors and vintage cars, along with a variety of the Island’s Carnival Queens took centre stage.
Newport Carnival chairman, Paddy McHugh, said: “After last year’s washout, we had been monitoring the weather since Thursday. We knew it was going to rain at some point, but we had to make a decision and we gave the go-ahead at 2pm.
“The rain came just after 5pm but, by the time we started two hours later, it had passed. The floats included four bands, with Medina Marching Band, Ventnor Comic Jazz Band, Vectis Corps of Drums, and Fat Samba all playing.
“The highlight was undoubtedly the four American Police cars leading the parade. They had been in town all day in St James’ Square and were extremely popular with dads who wanted to get behind the wheel!
“When they are decommissioned, they are sold to a company with all the equipment still in them and then shipped to collectors across the world. They had fully-working blues and twos, computers which could access American police records, and radios which were tuned in live to the State Police networks. People could hear what emergencies were happening in various States throughout the day!”
There was daytime entertainment in the town, with Huxley the Magician doing his tricks, Isobel Russell singing, and the Reading Scottish Pipe Band performing in town. They also marched into the Minster for a heart-warming rendition of ‘Highland Cathedral’ at the altar.
You can watch the procession at iw.observer/newportcarnival24
Carnival will return to Newport next month for the Illuminated Procession on August 22 at 9pm.
Visit iw.observer/newport-main-carnival-pics for our on-line gallery of the event.
