Margate Carnival 2013

Someone had tipped me off that there were going to be some exotic entries in this year's Margate Carnival...though I must admit to being somewhat sceptical.  But to my surprise, the Great British Carnival group brought a touch of Rio, Egypt, Portugal, Notting Hill and who knows where else to the streets of sunny Margate.

Not sure who pulled it off but it was a major coup for a town most often in the news for its many negative aspects.  The only real down side was the fact that the parade travels from Westbrook to Cliftonville, meaning the sun is directly in your face.  Which makes getting half decent snaps difficult.

Due to the assorted GBC entries and their considerable popularity with the crowds, the parade took much longer than usual and I think this in turn delayed the Soul Weekend events on the piazza.  The couple of hours or so after the carnival passed by were all I caught of the music event but the place was packed and everyone was having a great time in the glorious sunshine.

Margate can still make it happen now and then.



Margate Carnival 2013 (203 pics)

Broadstairs Big Weekend 2013 - Dancing Queens

Another world record attempt - this time with Hairspray as the theme.  Unfortunately, many had evidently never seen the film and so the number of suitably attired folks was down on previous years.  But still, the sun shone and everyone had a great time.  The afternoon was rounded off with a superb set from the Interseptors on the bandstand.



Dancing Queens 2013 (87 pics)

Rochester Sweeps Festival 2013, Saturday

It's that time again when dozens of morris dancers and folkies descend on Rochester for the annual Sweeps Festival.  It was certainly a bit warmer than last year.



Rochester Sweeps Festival pt1 (130 pics)