Even though the weather wasn’t at its best this year, the crowds still came out in force for a fantastic day out at the Ashington Festival.
The Carnival Procession travelled through the village lead by the 2016 Carnival Princess Amber Loisy, her attendants Lois Comer and Isabelle Fraser and her pageboys Todd Geal and Oliver Fraser.
The Medina Marching Band really set the tone and pace at the front whilst Boom Tribe Samba Band brought the rear. In the middle came a variety of Carnival Floats and Walking Groups along with a collection of vintage vehicles.
The Medina Marching Band really set the tone and pace at the front whilst Boom Tribe Samba Band brought the rear. In the middle came a variety of Carnival Floats and Walking Groups along with a collection of vintage vehicles.
The overall winners were “The Punk Shoppers”, the most disreputable group you’ll ever see! Other winners included “Rio/Olympics Carnival” and Chanctonbury Playschool’s Old MacDonalds Farm.
As the Carnival entered the Recreation Ground there was entertainment for everybody, including Harris Brothers Funfair, a fun Dog Show sponsored by Arun Vets, a car boot sale and rows of craft and charity stalls selling some beautiful things.
The Flower Show was, as always, held in the Ashington Community Centre had some wonderful exhibits of flowers, vegetables and craft items all to a very high standard.
As always there was a licensed bar and a wide variety of foods available catering for all tastes including delicious wood fired pizzas and authentic Thai street food.
In the middle of it all was the fantastic stage and arena with acts through the afternoon and evening. Welcomed to the arena for the first time was Joseph Peace with his high octane Red Hot Fire Stunt Show, Ringside Lurchers & Falconry Display, and the always brilliant Tom Foolery.
As the sun set, the crowd was entertained with live music from Creative Covers, returning after seven years by popular demand and a terrific Elvis Presley impersonator. The music and dancing carried on to the end of the evening with the ever popular disco.
Just after 10pm there was a fantastic firework display which lasted about fifteen minutes and was a real highlight to a great family day out.
The Festival Committee would like to thank all the sponsors and everyone that helped on the day.
