Some of Preston’s Carnival designers spend most the year refining their extravagant costumes in order to make sure they are better than the other bands in the procession. The costumes are made in what is called Mas Workshops.

Masquerade dates far back to a time when black slaves in the Caribbean were forced to provide entertainment for their masters during the traditional imported European Carnival, which took place before Easter.

By the late 19th century the Caribbean Carnival became heavily influenced by the soci-cultural plight of slaves and African traditions in which characters with personalities began to materialise. The wearing of masks, often grotesque with huge white heads mimicking and satirising former owners, became very popular during festivals.

The Preston mas workshops started in April this year and consisted of two stages. The first was the construction stage; this was to enable interested groups (bands) to begin to develop their ideas with our chief workshop artist – Jane Blackburn. Groups are offered support and guidance in the appropriate use of materials for their costumes.

The second stage is the construction stage; this section is normally the longest and requires great commitment from all band members. It is important to make sure everything is ready for the costume competition to find the King and Queen who will lead the procession.

The workshops are fun and the work is hard. Most of the procession costumes are made in our workshops

Watch the bands march the length of the Carnival route – see the Carnival map.

Where does the Caribbean Carnival procession go?

This year marks a major change to the route. Most of the years of Carnival in Preston, the procession has always been located outside of the heart of the City.

This new route is now (?) miles long and will have two rest points – to allow procession participants a rest and refreshments to charge their batteries (Trust us it can be hard on the feet!)

The route is:

Caribbean Carnival Procession
Departing at 12.00noon
Depart Moor Park Avenue (Easterly direction) turning right onto Deepdale Road
Deepdale Road turn right onto St.George’s Road
St.George’s Road turn left onto St.Paul’s Road
St.Paul’s Road turn left onto Meadow Street
Meadow Street turn right onto Deepdale Road
Deepdale Road traffic signals - first procession rest point

Deepdale Road turn right towards Ring Way/Stanley Street junction
Continuing into Church Street
Church Street turn left onto Manchester Road
Manchester Road turn right onto Avenham Lane
Avenham Lane continue onto Ribblesdale Place
Ribblesdale Place/Winckley Square junction – second procession rest point

Ribblesdale Place bear right onto Winckey Square
Winckely Square onto Chapel Street
Chapel Street turn right onto Fishergate
Fishergate turn left onto Lancaster Road
Lancaster Road onto Ormskirk Road
Ormskirk Road traffic signals - procession ends

King’s and Queen’s of the Procession

In order to find the King and Queen who will lead the procession, a competition is held the weekend before the Carnival day; where each group will present their two leaders. They will be expected to have knowledge of Carnival and how their costume relates to the theme for the year. It is helpful if they are also able to dance and entertain the crowd in their role as kings and queens.

Prince’s and Princess’s of the Procession

For the first time in Preston Caribbean Carnival, a competition to find Carnival Princes and Princesses will take place. We are looking for at least 8 boys and 8 girls who will support the Carnival King and Queen in their duty on 20th June. These young people will open the Carnival in way that’s never been seen before!

Talented young people aged between the ages of 7 and 10 years of age, who are able to express themselves either in song, dance or play a musical instrument. The competition was held in early May and your support was very much appreciated.

The other group of princesses and princes will act as ‘purifiers of the procession in readiness for the King and Queen.

Where to go at the end of the procession?

The procession will conclude on Lancaster Road, as it passes the Town Hall. By this time each band and individual will have been judged at a number of location along the route, and the judges will have commenced their deliberations on which band performed the best throughout the duration of the procession. They will be looking at each band’s discipline, organisation, style and creativity.

The procession winners will be announced at the Main Stage under the small covered market (formerly known as the ‘fish market’) please turn over

The Main Performance Stage (the ‘Fish Market’)

Located on the Fish market will be a range of culinary stalls for you to sample. There will also be family musical entertainment for you to enjoy. Some of the performers will be local – strutting their stuff to many forms of music.

When the last procession band reaches Lancaster Road, some of the bands will be invited to perform on the stage. At around 6.00pm the procession judges will then announce the procession winner for 2004.

When and where should you turn up?

The main aspect of Carnival is the procession, which means a series of roads around eastern and central Preston will be closed – so don’t bother taking the car into the city. Public transport will be your best bet – but be ready to walk!

The procession will depart Moor Park at 1.00pm and estimated to conclude on Ormskirk Road at 5.00pm.

Most people tend to move along with the procession, others know which spots are the best then stay put. This year the route changes so you will have to make your choice and take your chance on any part of the new route.

Food & Drink

As the procession makes it way into the City centre, it will pass a number of shops from which refreshments can be obtained, however as it meanders its way into the city centre it will pass a number of refreshing watering troughs (some of which are sponsors of the Carnival) and other eateries. The Pubs, bars and cafes en route are going to be heaving – so think about bringing your own non-alcoholic refreshments. When you arrive in the City centre let your nose do the walking, because carnival is more than the music and unique atmosphere, it’s also famous for its food. You will find delights from the many spice islands of the Caribbean to the plains of Africa.

What should I do afterwards?

Once procession bands reach Ormskirk Road the procession has finished and the vehicles will make their way back to the Carnival Workshops, but where can a carnival goer move onto in order to carry on partying?

There are several clubs in the area, so if you are not on the guest-list or no go at sucking up to the door whores, forget it – everywhere will be jammed tighter than a camels arse in a sand storm.

The more seasoned carnival procession participants will have their post-carnival parties across the city. You can find a list of places to go in this special carnival brochure.

Top tips for the day.

• Listen to the weather forecast for the day.
• Wear appropriate, comfortable clothes and shoes.
• Never jump in front of the procession floats or bands – they might look like massive sea creatures or huge plants but really, they’re ruddy big lorries honest!
• If you have to dance to the pulsating music, always dance behind the barriers or on the footpath, where you can dance till you drop.
• DON’T JOIN THE PROCESSION AND KEEP OFF THE ROAD.
• If you have a child in a push chair, come early and leave while it’s still light.
• Remember to keep eating and hydrated, drink lots of water or fruit juices.
•Substance abuse and consumption of alcohol is prohibited at this community event.
MOST IMPORTANT
• Try to show consideration for local residents and their property. No one likes picking up other people’s litter.