Nottingham Carnival: The Big Parade

Nottingham Caribbean Carnival 2010 was held on the Forest Recreation Ground on Saturday 14th and Sunday 15th August. The highlight of the weekend was the big parade on Sunday which drew thousands of spectators.

The parade went from Friar Lane, just outside the Castle, down towards the Market Square. Making it's way along Beastmarket Hill and up Angel Row, before turning left up Mount Street, onto Maid Marian Way and then up Derby Road. From their it turned down onto Ilkeston Road, right on Highurst Road, up to Alfreton Road before turning right at Bentick Road to enter the Forest Recreation Ground.

The event was well attended and blessed by warm - if not massively sunny - weather. There were various colourful costumes including two huge puppets of cartoon characters Poeye and Olive Oil. The various floats were generally not decorated, but did carry large, and very loud, sounds systems.

At the Forest Rec, those involved in the parade queued to display their dance routine in front of the crowds. Others drifted off to explore the various stalls (which included a display from the "Army Information Team" clearly on the circuit, having also been at last week's Riverside Festival) or fairground rides.