Ilkley once again put on a marvelous show as it hosted its annual carnival 2019. The sun shone and the crowds came in their thousands to watch over 1000 local school children and organisations recreate an imaginative colourful parade inspired by famous shows and musicals.
The streets of Ilkley were transformed into a mile-long stage featuring characters from The Wizard of Oz , Guys and Dolls and The Lion King.
The event kicked off with a parade through the town .
Characters from The Wizard of Oz, Guys and Dolls and The Lion King were on parade ahead of Ilkley Carnival along with walking floats featuring Mary Poppins and Joseph and The Amazing Technicolour Dreamcoat.
The parade set off from The Grove at 11am before wending its way along Brook Street and Denton Road before arriving at the East Holmes showground just before mid-day.
Gwenda Van Damme, mother of Sacred Heart pupils Billy and Emily Spenceley, had been working on costumes for their school’s Joseph and The Technicolour Dreamcoat-themed parade entry since March.
The parade headed down to East Holmes showground for the carnival.
This years main attractions included an array of show-stopping entertainment, including a spectacular horse and rider main act, The Galloping Acrobatics, a birds of prey spectacular, vintage vehicle show, live music, a fun dog show, a craft tent and the Punch and Judy show.
This year the carnival had expanded into the nearby Ilkley rugby club and part of the lido.
W. Marshalls Amusements, provided the fairground entertainment.
Marshalls play an important financial role played by the operator in ensuring the continuation of the carnival, and its ability to donate money to good causes
Some amazing entertainment was headlined for the event. The Galloping Acrobatics gave a hair raising show which kept the public on the edge of their seats. Local musical talent were showcasing on the Ilkley rocks stage and in the Acoustic Teepee. A very talented performance was given by the Ilkley Gym Club who were to represent GB in the World Gymnaestrada in Austria in July. The ND Dance academy performed two spectacular dance routines in the Stray FM Dance Arena
A classic car show, dog show and falconry display completed the line up.
Classic cars including a rare Aston Martin, VW campers Consuls plus models from the Ford Anglia 105E owners club and the City of Leeds MG & Classic Car Club
The Ilkley Rocks stage had an afternoon of entertainment including Ec-Tix - Temporal Storm - Thomas Thorpe - Backstage - The Pacific’s - The Unproductives - Jessica Lee Morgan & Soul Foundry DJ Set
The Teepee Acoustic Stage had and alternative line up of musicians including Graeme Matthews - Beth Hardaker - Stolen Bows - Adam Catlin - Robert Brice - Lauren Southgate - Jessica Shaw - Mallory Green & Ilkley Youth Choir