Thinking of planning a successful Carnival? Its a big undertaking. Getting help is always advisable but where to start.

The theme, the money the space the date the event or even the point of a carnival.

Small World Theatre (SWT) have been providing component parts of carnivals for years. We consistently find that when working in partnership with others, be it councils, communities or festivals that we have to cover elements of the planning that were forgotten ignored or only half done by partners.

Liaising with police has often been last minute and there are often misunderstandings about timing of parades etc. Try to get this covered at an early stage and keep in contact about any changes, security alerts etc. The whole area of licensing has become extraordinarily beurocratic and complicated. Complications increase or decrease depending on each local authorities INTERPRETATION of the new laws. I still feel this new licensing act needs a lot of lobbying and challenging. There are reams of pages written by the Arts Council of England on the licensing process.

Good stewarding is needed for large parades as well as communications such as walkie talkies and, at a pinch, mobile phones. High visibility jackets / waistcoats are often needed for stewards but please remember that they should get a proper briefing on the event programme and in case of emergencies the procedures for their role in crowd safety.

It can get hot and tiring for all participants make sure water is provided on the day. You could seek a sponsor for this now.

SWT have a preference for walking parades not lorries with tableaux built on them. These lorry fests are now becoming too expensive and difficult to insure and are thankfully disappearing. Who wants to follow the diesel exhaust pipe for miles while being in danger of being run over by the tractor towing the cowboys and indians trailer. Smaller floats can be wheeled along on trolleys, wheelchairs, bikes and trikes.

If you organise a parade on a village green , a school, a field or beach etc some aspects become much easier to administer. Presumably the police and traffic management issues are lessened or by-passed.

Carnival parades are a lot of fun, they generate enjoyment and a great sense of community so do not be put off from organising one. Its great when a plan comes together

We often get too busy to take photos so it is always good to find a person with a good camera and an excellent eye for composition who can document the process and the event. A video is great but always consider the cost of editing and DVD production and put it in your budget if needed

Please see our other carnival pages especially the one on a dedicated a making space, link via the red button below

Small World Theatre	Small World Centre	What's On West Wales	Intergenerational	Allotmemt

		WWW		http://www.rhandir.org

Small World Theatre, Canolfan Byd Bychan, Bath House Road, Cardigan, Ceredigion, Wales, SA43 1JY

Tel: 01239 615952 Fax :01239 615835

e mail info@smallworld.org.uk

Masks	Giants
Parades	Dragons
Music	Planning
Lanterns	Space to make it all