Charivari 2011

The suncream and dancing shoes were out in force on Saturday as Strange Cargo’s 15th Charivari Day carnival made the streets of Folkestone vibrate with the massive sound of drums, cheers and carnival whistles.

The flamboyant costumes based on the theme of Foundlings and Fairytales, were an extraordinary sight to see, with Rapunzel rubbing fairytale shoulders with Jack and his Beanstalk, Prince’s and an enchanted castle. The procession of hundreds of participants from across the Shepway District from schools and community carnival groups, made their way up through the town from the Stade to The Leas Bandstand, where the music and festivities continued throughout the sunny afternoon. The line up of streetbands came from across the UK specially for the event and after the parade, stayed to play to a Leas packed with hundreds locals and visitors who came along to enjoy the day.

Strange Cargo is delighted that the event receives such enthusiastic support from local people, and that since 1997 over 9000 people have had a chance to made their own costume and take to the streets to celebrate as a community and to feel proud of where they live. It is certainly a unique event in the region.

Charivari Day has been generously funded by Arts Council England South East, Shepway District Council, Kent County Council, Folkestone Town Council, Roger De Haan Charitable Trust, Cllr. Roland Tolputt, and East Folkestone Together.