NEVER MIND the dreary summer weather, the spirit of Rio and Mardi Gras had thousands descending on the streets of Astwood Bank last weekend to enjoy the 37th annual carnival.
More than 7,000 packed the village and showground at Sandhill Farm on Saturday during an action-packed weekend of family fun and entertainment.
Organisers said it was a record-breaking event in many respects including the largest procession ever staged with more than seven articulated lorries and triple the number of walking groups.
The procession was headed by a horse drawn carriage that conveyed this year’s carnival Queen Imogen Chalk.
She was accompanied by princesses Sarah Shephard and Lydia Pountney, princes Hayden Thomas and Eric Sallis, along with Rosebud Betty Sallis.
A fun dog show attracted a large number of entries from four-legged friends and 70 vintage vehicles including seven steam engines were shown off in a classic car display.
There was live music with performances by Rock Choir on the music stage and over 100 stall holders plied their trade in the shopping arena.
New for 2024 was a sell-out Summer Sundowner music event which replaced the traditional barn dance on Friday evening and the weekend finished off with more music, food and entertainment at the Why Not Inn on the Sunday.
Organiser Ashley Hewitt said: “We are really pleased with how it all went.
“We had a phenomenal amount of people attend, great feedback from all of our traders and lots of positive feedback from members of the public saying how much they enjoyed the day.”
All monies raised will be donated to good causes such as local schools and Scout groups alongside charities including Midlands Air Ambulance.
