Carnival Publicity Officer Ion Castro gives you a taste of what’s to come.
Hastings Old Town Carnival Week is a mainly free event (that doesn’t mean you can’t give a donation!) organised jointly by the Hastings Old Town Carnival Association (www.1066.net/carnival) and the Old Hastings Preservation Society (www.ohps.org.uk). The Grand Opening of Old Town Week takes place on Saturday 31st July on Winkle Island and is followed by a full week of events.
Highlights of the week will include the two-day Free Beach Concert on the first Saturday and Sunday afternoon (in aid of the Lifeboat). Sunday afternoon also features the Old Town Criers’ Competition in High Street – if you like shouting why not take part! Monday and it’s the unique “Seaboot Race” in Courthouse Street – it’s more difficult than you think but do have a go, Courthouse Street Fun Day and the Old Town Treasure Trail. On Tuesday there’s the Old Town Bike Race against the clock up Crown Lane, one of the steepest streets in the Old Town and a real test of determination and stamina. This is a spontaneous event with no formal organisers! Wednesday’s big event is the Pram Race round the pubs of the Old Town almost a carnival in its own right! – book in at “The Cutter” by midday. Thursday it’s the Old Town Street Party in High Street and Brewery Yard – Children’s’ fancy dress and market stalls as well as dancing in the street. Following the success of last years ‘Pirate Day’ there will be another this year on Friday 6th When a world record attempt will be made, Look out for Pirates of all shapes and sizes lurking in the shops, alleyways and pubs of the old town! The week culminates with the Grand Carnival Procession starting at Rock-a-Nore at 5pm, on Saturday 7th August. The route has settled down to the original course of west along the seafront, round the fountain, return east then up High Street, across The Bourne and down All Saints Street back to Rock-a-Nore. The Carnival will be preceded by an aerial display over the harbour arm and along the seafront, and followed by fireworks as once it’s dark. Saturday and Sunday features a new event – The Battle for Hastings’ Strongest Man and Woman, all day beside the Lifeboat House. Sunday features the “Happy Harold Haul” outside the Lifeboat House when teams compete to pull Hastings’ own 82 year old trolleybus in aid of Prostate Cancer Charity. Detailed information, places and times and the full programme of events will be available from the Official web-site, www.106 6.net/carnival where entry forms for the carnival procession can also be downloaded. Entry to the other major participation events is usually on the Page Eight night at the event. The printed A5 size Carnival Programme is now available from the Hastings Information Centres at the Town Hall and Old Town Hall Museum as well as in selected pubs and shops in the Old Town.
Look out for best dressed windows in All Saints Street, exhibitions in the Fishermen’s Museum and Hastings History House in Courthouse Street. There will be art, photographic and ceramic exhibitions at all sorts of venues, walks, talks and tours, open houses, gardens and allotments, teas, buffets and lunches, concerts and film shows. Well –known old-towner, Tush Hamilton will be purveying his now-famous Fisherman’s Rolls made with locally caught fresh fish at many of the events. You can contact us by email – carnival@1066. net
“Hastings Town” August 2010
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