THE New Carnival Company’s (NCC) annual Mardi Gras parade is returning following a two-year break due to Covid-19.
The event is set for Saturday, July 9, in Ryde.
More than 50 people attended a launch event held at Quay Arts last week, including councillors, teachers, artists and community volunteers.
They were all keen to find out more about this year’s theme — Our World Our Future — which will comprise four categories: people, the planet, places and peace.
There will be carnival costumes and presentations on the road, representing topics such as ending global warming and reducing waste.
Each school and group taking part will also make an active pledge to do something together to leave a positive legacy, such as planting trees, walking to school, or giving to food banks.
The NCC is itself, making a pledge, to remove all petrol and diesel vehicles from its parade, and to introduce new ways of creating sound, both live and recorded.
There will be a much greater focus on costume presentation and choreography, with the NCC offering an extensive programme of supporting workshops and dedicated resources online.
Highlights from the evening included two musical presentations on the theme, performed by Wroxall Primary School children, and students from IW College Performing Arts.
Councillor Debbie Andre, cabinet member for children's services, education and skills, attended the event.
She said: “Mardi Gras is a fabulous activity that engages our Island children and young people in a creative way through carnival.
"It is fully inclusive and gives a voice to those groups who may not otherwise have the opportunity to fully express themselves, such as those with physical challenges and the neuro-diverse.
"I would strongly encourage everyone to get involved."
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