With a history dating back to 1931, Long Eaton Carnival is an annual community event, usually held the 3rd Saturday in June. This year the weekend is Saturday 20th June, starting on Friday 19th June at 7pm for live music, and continuing into Sunday 21st June for the car boot from 7am.
This year the theme is “Through the Decades” for the community to interpret, and create displays for the popular parade around town. The parade starts from the rugby field on West Park Long Eaton at 11am, around to the Town Centre and then back along Derby Road to enter back into West Park around 1pm. There are competitions for the best walking party, adult and children float, and best on parade. Plus the bunting displayed and encouraged by houses and businesses who are along the parade route, with a trophy award for best dressed property. The best bit is that Long Eaton Carnival is a FREE event to attend.
This event can only continue with fundraising. Fundraising takes place throughout the year, with Car Boots every month from April to October; applications for grants, requests for sponsorship, The JustGiving page which is live; Bucket and chalice collections along the parade route; and now even a card machine reader!
The committee members are all volunteers, who dedicate their time and energy freely throughout the whole year. We are always looking for additional hands and helpers, businesses and organisations who might want to be involved on the day and in the lead up to it. Committee meetings take place every first Monday of the month, at Trinity Church Long Eaton from 7.30pm, all are welcome.
We rely heavily on the kind generosity of the local community. The carnival costs around £20,000 each year. If everyone that attends the carnival donates at least £1 each we can keep the carnival event going. All contributions are greatly received and put to good use for the many services required to keep the event safe and running smoothly each year. Services include, First Aid, rental of the field, security, infrastructure – toilets, marquees, stages, insurance, licensing just to name a few.
Applications for stalls, parade, classic cars, souvenir programme, royalty for young people to be recognised, are all available on the website now. The deadline for applications is early June.
Posters are displayed around Long Eaton Town, and banners are placed strategically to be eye-catching. Get the date in your diary, tell your family, friends, and neighbours, all are welcome, look forward to seeing you there.
