Fun is floating away (From Penarth Times)

Fun is floating away

A TOTAL of 24 entrants took part in the Penarth Carnival Parade this year, compared with 26 last year.

Town Clerk Edward Vick told members of the Festivities Committee: "Despite calls to participants from past years and to organisations who provided a float in 2003, there was only one float this year, provided by PODS.

"The problems in attracting participants to the parade are not particular to Penarth, with similar problems being experienced with the Barry Carnival Parade.

"Public perception is that a good parade is largely made up of floats and therefore other entries do not seem to generate as much enthusiasm. "Other local parades, such as the Lord Mayor's Parade and the MAS Carnival in Cardiff, are now made up of walking entries as opposed to floats."

Mr Vick said that in 2003 a Carnival Parade Working Group was established to examine with local people and organisations ways of regenerating the carnival, but external involvement was limited and only a small number attended.

"It seems that local groups are experiencing similar issues in attracting new members and therefore do not have the resources to provide floats or representatives."

Mr Vick concluded: "It is apparent that the future of the Carnival Parade needs serious consideration. In recent years support has decreased and although early responses often indicate a good level of intended support for the parade, most do not come to fruition.

"To try and increase participation, organisations who have not responded to the council's mailshot, but who have provided floats in the past, have been contacted by the office to ask for their support. However, few have decided to participate, citing a variety of factors.

"Other groups have been contacted with regard to providing a walking or marching entry, but again have been unable to do so.

"It seems that despite pursuing various avenues at officer level, local groups and organisations are unwilling or unable to support the parade to any great degree."