Notting Hill Carnival-England
Notting Hill Carnival-Big Big Big!
Of course when we think of street carnivals we think of Rio but not a lot of people think of the Notting Hill Carnival.
Well you are right in thinking Rio when it comes to the largest but not a lot of people know that the Notting Hill Carnival that is held in London is the second biggest street carnival in the world.
2 million people a year frequent the carnival. At one time the carnival was just something small held in a community indoor building.
At first the carnival was developed to improve race relations after the Notting hill riots that took place in 1958.
In 1964 the carnival was moved to the outdoors and soon took on a Caribbean appearence and every year has attracted more and more people.
Notting Hill Carnival-Dark Cloud
In the late 1970s there was trouble between the cops and youths that threatened to shut the carnival down.
The trouble had many people calling anyone they could to try and get the annual event banned because people were worried the trouble would escalate.
However the powers to be thought better and put some policies in place and ever since the Notting Hill Carnival has been a very peaceful event.
The carnival mainly takes place on the narrow streets of Notting Hill. However with the carnival growing so big some areas have had to be added. in the last few years the Savannah area has been added.
The carnival even has a children's day which is tailored for families with children. The entertainment is meant for children as well as the floats and all other forms of entertainment.
Notting Hill Carnival-The Big Day
On the Monday of the Notting Hill Carnival is when the big parade happens. It has greatly colored floats and very active dancers that go along a parade route 3 miles long.
When all is said and done the carnival consists of four categories. The first being masquerade costumes, the second being steel band, the third is calypso and the fourth is SOCA which is sounds of Caribbean and Africa.
So the big deal at the Notting Hill Carnival with out a doubt is loud music. Not to mention all the sound systems that are set up to make things even louder.
Every event at the Notting Hill carnival is an event no one will ever forget. Once there they will always have a longing to go back.
Notting Hill Carnival-A Few Tidbits
The carnival usually takes place in late August
Of course the carnival is held at Notting Hill, West London
The best entertainment would be the calypso capers.