Charivari 2015

Thousands of people made a date with Strange Cargo’s spectacular and colourful Charivari Day carnival on the streets of Folkestone on 11th July 2015. Once they heard the sound of distant drumming, they knew that Charivari Day was heading their way.

The 2015 carnival parade, entitled World Festivals, was a celebration of community festival processions from around the globe. Strange Cargo’s trained carnival artist teams worked across the district to create the six themed sections that captured the vibrancy of traditional international festivals, including the beautiful Japanese Blossom Festival, the European Bulgarian Kukeri, Italian carnival and the South American Mexican Day of the Dead.

In total 24 schools from across the district took part in the carnival on the Saturday 11th July, alongside community groups and public workshop participants. The parade of costumes, dancers and boisterous drumming bands set off at 2pm from The Stade at Folkestone’s fishmarket, headed up the Old High Street, through Sandgate Road precinct before joining The Leas at West Terrace and heading to the finale point at The Leas Bandstand. Following the parade there was an afternoon of music playing at the bandstand.

The event can only happen because of generous support from our funders. Our thanks go to Arts Council England, Shepway District Council, Folkestone Town Council, The Roger De Haan Charitable Trust & Creative Foundation and Rotary Club of Folkestone Channel.