Notting Hill Carnival

Written by: Yasser Saad
Location : Notting Hill, London                                                                                             

 

                                                                 Notting Hill Festival   

History

The first Notting Hill Carnival took place in 1959 in St. Pancras Town Hall as a response to the situation of race relations in the country at the time. The Notting Hill Race Riots were an example of the tension, lasting for a week during August and September 1959. This first Carnival was organized by "Claudia Jones" who is widely recognized as being the '‘Mother of Carnival’'

a Trinidadian journalist and political activist, as a response to this.

This first Carnival was considered a huge success, despite being held indoors. A few years later in 1966 the first outdoors event was organized, inspired by the London Free School and the hippie movement. The aim of this event was to promote cultural unity

When the Notting Hill Carnival first started, around 500 people attended. Today it attracts hundreds of thousands to London, and continues to grow in popularity. You can expect to see some 50,000 performers and 40 sound systems. Around 2.5 million people attend over the Carnival weekend.

Nottinh Hill 1964

- Notting Hill is Carnival is The Largest Street festival in Europe. it is an Annual Event Takes Place on Each Sunday and Mondayof The August Bank Holiday. Bringing a Spirit of Diversity to London.

Taking Pictures with the Performers

and its divided into two days :

* Sunday : is Children's Day, with a shorter parade route. It's also the day that the costume prizes are awarded.

* Monday (Bank Holiday): The Adult Day, sees the main parade. In the evening, the floats leave the streets in procession and people continue the festivities at the many Notting Hill Carnival after-parties

- Expect a sea of color as amazing floats and costumed performers wind their way through the streets of London. Whether you want to join in the fun or simply watch the crowds go by

Children Day

Beautiful Child Performer

Interesting facts About Notting Hill Carnival

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-  About One million man-hours making hours decorating costumes.

-  About 30 millions sequins, 15,000 feather plumes, 30 litres of body paint used in the costumes

-  Each costume is designed and made from hand.

-  Drink consumed at carnival: About 10,000 liters Jamaican stout, 5 million hot and cold drinks, 25,000 bottles of rum, 70,000 litres of carrot juice, 800,000 cans and bottles of drink.

-  Food Consumed at carnival: About 1 ton of rice and peas, 400 Goats, 10,000 liters Jamaican Stout, 30,000 corn on the cob, 15,000 deep fried plantains, 1 ton of curry chicken, 1 ton of Jamaican    patties, 12,000 mangoes, 16,000 coconuts, 5 million hot and cold drinks, 25,000 bottles of rum. 70,000 liters of carrot juice, 800,000 cans and bottles of drink.

-  In excess of 9,000 police officers are deployed on both days of the Carnival.

-  There are more than 600 public safety marshals positioned at key areas along the route.

-  Notting Hill Carnival is now the second largest carnival in the world, just trailing behind the famous Carnival in Rio de Janeiro, and is the largest street festival in Europe.

Busy Streets