Carnival is 'here to stay'
Organisers have pledged Lye Carnival is here to stay after the first one to be held for six years was dubbed a "rip-roaring success". Organisers have pledged Lye Carnival is here to stay after the first one to be held for six years was dubbed a "rip-roaring success". Hundreds turned out on Sunday despite torrential rain and committee members, buoyed by what they described as an "amazing" turnout in light of the weather, are determined to make it an annual event again. At its height the festival was visited by thousands of families every year and was one of the biggest in the area. But the plug was pulled on it for good in 2001 until the Friends of Wollescote Park teamed up with members of the old carnival committee to revive the festival at Stevens Park. And Lye ward councillor Pete Lowe, who helped out and attended the event, pledged it was here to stay. He said: "It went extremely well. The weather was totally against it with the torrential rain, but the numbers that turned out despite this clearly showed a will within the community for this carnival to survive." Read the full story in the Express & Star.
Hundreds turned out on Sunday despite torrential rain and committee members, buoyed by what they described as an "amazing" turnout in light of the weather, are determined to make it an annual event again.
At its height the festival was visited by thousands of families every year and was one of the biggest in the area. But the plug was pulled on it for good in 2001 until the Friends of Wollescote Park teamed up with members of the old carnival committee to revive the festival at Stevens Park.
And Lye ward councillor Pete Lowe, who helped out and attended the event, pledged it was here to stay.
He said: "It went extremely well. The weather was totally against it with the torrential rain, but the numbers that turned out despite this clearly showed a will within the community for this carnival to survive.
"The day was a rip-roaring success and as far as I am concerned the carnival is absolutely here to stay.
"Despite the weather conditions there were hundreds there and I was totally amazed by the amount of people that turned up."
The festival this year had a multi-cultural theme and entertainment ranged from Irish folk music to Bollywood dancing. Visitors to the carnival also feasted on foods from around the world while an inter-faith service was held in the middle of the day.
This year's event also featured attractions including a radio roadshow, music,dance and food, a children's corner with teddy bear's picnic and fun fair.
Members of the committee had to abandon the carnival in 2001 after problems with rising insurance costs and re-routing of the town's roads.
