One of the highlights in the town’s packed calendar for residents and visitors alike, is Old Town Carnival Week, the second week in August. A huge programme of events means there is something for everyone, from cream teas in the rectory garden to riding a butcher’s bike up one of the steepest hills in the town whilst keeping your bottom on the saddle, from art exhibitions to a race wearing sea boots and a top hat, from an allotment open day to a town criers contest. And, of course, there are fancy dress races, the pram race (which gets bigger and better each year), the street party in the High Street, the fishing boat race, a fantastic fireworks display by Hastings’ own Renegade Pyrotechnics and, of course, the Carnival itself.
This year the Carnival moved from the Friday evening to Saturday afternoon, to encourage more family participation and support. This move certainly paid off, and the Carnival procession was generally thought to be one of the best for many years. We were also lucky with the weather!
The Council supports the week of course, with help with publicity and producing the programme, arranging road and car park closures, and its partners also played a key part.
Onyx colleagues started work at 0430 on the Sunday after the carnival clearing up the inevitable debris from the night before, and the Old Town was spick and span before most locals had had their breakfast! Our special thanks go to them.
And the Old Town community itself deserves a huge thank you, for organising the various events, under the leadership of the Old Town Carnival Committee, and the Old Hastings Preservation Society. Many, many other organisations, and individuals, help too, to make this truly a week to remember every year.
Back to top of page...
< Hastings Prepared | Coastal Currents >
This page last updated: 29/09/2004