Yes, it’s the moment you’ve been waiting for, assuming the moment in question is the one in which we announce that entry for our Carnival Parade on Sunday 10th July 2011 is officially open.

We’ve just added links to this year’s Newbury Carnival entry forms, along with our list of the top ten reasons for taking part in the Carnival Parade.  So get clicking (here) right now and tell all your friends/colleagues/fellow community group members/parents’ association committee members and everyone else, right now, if you’d like to book a place in the parade.  Alternatively enter as a family or even on your own.  It’s almost as if there are no good reasons for not entering, isn’t it?

Congratulations to Elly Bridger-Wilkinson, who was crowned Newbury Carnival Queen 2011 earlier this evening at the festive celebrations in Newbury town centre.  Elly (above left) who was the Carnival Queen’s attendant in 2009, attended John Rankin and St Bart’s Schools, before starting her degree course at Oxford University earlier this term, where she is studying history.  Pictured here with Elly is the Mayor of Newbury, Ian Grose, and Kelly Edmond, a student at Park House School, who will be Elly’s attendant for Newbury Carnival 2011.

Come and join the celebrations, as the Newbury Carnival Queen for 2011 is crowned on Friday 26th November.

The crowning ceremony will take place at 5:00pm in the Market Place, as part of Newbury’s count down to Christmas.

Live entertainment, hot food and roasted chestnuts will be available in the Market Place from 4:00pm onwards, with the big Christmas lights switch-on taking place at 5:30pm.

We’ll look forward to seeing you there!

It’s been a tough day here in the Carnival Control Centre (see our Tweets for details) and we’re all pretty exhausted but, thanks to our skilled team of engineers, programmers, forecasters (and the rest!) we have a theme!  It was announced this evening at the official launch of Newbury Carnival 2011. And the theme is…

… wait for it…

…oops, sorry I’ve lost the envelope…ah, here it is…

And the theme is…

… this is exciting, isn’t it?

The theme is…

Watch this space for more details soon.  In the meantime, do feel free to start thinking about how you’re going to reflect this theme in your entry for Newbury Carnival 2011.  We think it has lots of potential!

To celebrate the announcement of our 2011 theme, here is a new video of memories from Newbury Carnival 2009. Enjoy!

For your viewing enjoyment, click on the ‘full screen’ icon (the box containing four arrows at the bottom right of the video),  plug in your speakers and turn up the volume.

We will shortly be providing a Carnival Parade entry form and other information about the event.  If you would like to be sent details when they are available, please complete the online form here.  If you would like get involved and help to make the event a success, please complete the volunteer form which you will find here.  We look forward to hearing from you.

The Carnival Team are currently seeking ideas for a ‘theme’ for next year’s parade. Some of the successful themes from past years include ‘Around the world in 80 days’, ‘Once upon a time’ and ‘The best of British’.

Chairman Bryan Harper said recently: “Carnival entrants don’t have to stick to our theme when they are designing their costumes and floats, but we know a lot of people like an idea to give them a bit of inspiration. Newbury Carnival is always exciting and colourful and we want to make sure that next July’s event is fun for all ages. As usual, there will be cash prizes for the best entrants in a number of carnival categories.”

If you’ve got any good ideas for possible parade themes, please send your suggestions to newburycarnival@gmail.com. The chosen theme will be announced at the official launch of Newbury Carnival 2011 at the end of October.

Children can join a FREE drop-in session to make carnival costumes and masks during the exciting Latin American Festival which takes place in Newbury on Saturday 11th September, 10am – 3pm.

Bolivian, Peruvian and Brazilian dancers will be in town for the festival, which includes Ceroc dancing outside the Town Hall, traditional crafts for sale in the Market Place and food with a Latin American twist served at the Corn Exchange.  Children of all ages are welcome to have a go at carnival costume making at Newbury Library, any time from 11am to 3pm.

Why not use this opportunity to start on your costume for Newbury Carnival 2011?  Don’t forget that individuals, as well as groups, can enter the carnival and that there are cash prizes for the best entries.  This fantastic festival should give you plenty of ideas to get you started – and should be lots of fun!

The Newbury Carnival Team are currently enjoying a summer break, but thoughts of carnivals are never very far away.  Jacquie and Andrew have just seen some of Weymouth Carnival (pictured right), which was apparently very successful.  Well done to all involved.

If you have been to other carnivals and perhaps picked up good ideas which we could try here in Newbury, please drop us an email.  Don’t forget that you can contact us at newburycarnival@gmail.com.

Even during the holidays, the Carnival Team are always pleased to hear from you!

What a fantastic evening!  Many thanks to all those who took part in the Carnival Concert – you were all stars!  Also to Arthur, Alex and Gaynor for their organisation and hard work behind the scenes.  There is certainly plenty to celebrate in Newbury.

If you haven’t bought your copy of the Newbury Carnival CD yet, please contact Arthur on (01635) 34738 or 07789 010198.

Don’t miss this year’s Carnival Concert, which is taking place on Friday 25th June, 7:30-11:00pm at ACE Space, Newbury.  The concert features local singers Ian Collins Sounds, Trac, Lucy & Kelly and recent X-Factor participants, Father & Son, all of whom are helping to raise money for Newbury Carnival 2011.  Organiser Arthur Johnson said “We’re so lucky to have singers of such talent living locally.  It’s great to be able to celebrate their success and help the Carnival at the same time.  This should be a great night.”

Tickets are £5.00, available online by clicking here to visit the We Got Tickets website (an online booking fee of 50p will be charged per ticket).   Alternatively phone Arthur on (01635) 34738 or 07789 010198.  A CD including tracks by all the artists performing at the concert will be available to buy on the night.