Published: Thursday, 21st May, 2009 8:30am

Bank Holiday Carnival

Little Monsters: Rios Divano, Kai and Khalid from the Appollo after school club in their carnival costumes.
Pic by: Natalie Applewhaite-Morgan

REVELLERS are putting the finishing touches to their outfits for the Reading Community Carnival.

The parade, now in its 32nd year, will start and end at Prospect Park on Bank Holiday Monday, and will include a host of colourful Caribbean characters in traditional costume.

Floats will set off at 12.30pm winding their way on a three-hour journey along Liebenrood Road, Tilehurst Road, Russell Street, Oxford Road and Grovelands Road.

Prospect Park will be a sea of colour with more than 20 stalls offering Caribbean food and drink and a main stage with performances from reggae, soca and RnB artists. Carnival public relations officer Tony Vickers, who has been busy planning the event for nearly a year, said: 'The world is going through a depressing time but in Reading we"ve got the opportunity for one day of merriment and fun.'

At Mount Pleasant"s MAPP Community Centre tonight (Thursday) carnival artists will be making final preparations, and last Saturday, children spent all day at the centre making their costumes. Apollo Youth club, Mary Seacole Day Nursery and Tilehurst"s Upcroft Primary School have also contributed costumes. Upcroft headteacher Carolyn Weait, whose pupils" outfits have a 'lost in space" theme, said: 'It brings the curriculum alive. It"s practical, hands on, and for a purpose and that"s what learning is all about.'

There is an after party at the Jazz Club in Caversham Road from 9pm. Call 0870 7741 977 or see www.readingcarnival.org.uk

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