Town all set for carnival fever

Banners and flags made by schoolchildren will also fly alongside sculptures by world famous carnival artists.

Led by marathon man Ray Matthews, the People’s Parade will snake through the town centre from 12.30pm, winding its way to a free concert in Clifton Park.

Giant costumes and colourful models will bounce to professional samba bands, while dance troupes keep time with the beat.

Huge, Hollywood-style letters will spell out “Eh up Rotherham” while other artworks celebrate all things Yorkshire.

The parade’s artworks are on the dual themes of Dia de los Muertos - the Mexican Day of the Dead festival - and under the sea. They were built by dozens of crafty volunteers representing all ages, many races and nationalities at workshops around the borough.

Lead organiser Vicky Hilton, of Open Minds Theatre Company, has been planning the parade for almost a year.

She was moved to do it by flag-waving, right-wing protests through town - determined to show that Rotherham could go one better with something more positive.

Vicky said: “I really want everyone to come and show their support for their town and for each other.

“This carnival will bring out what is great about Rotherham for everyone to see, hear and feel.”

The parade will open with the Symphony of Rotherham — a multi-faith musical piece combining the Islamic call to prayer with the Minster bells.

Chimes and voices will ring out across the town centre for half an hour in a cross-cultural, call-and-answer song.

In a world record attempt, professional percussionists will play the biggest ever set of tubular bells on Howard Street, with help from children of Kiveton Park Meadows Junior School.

The current record stands at 100 huge steel tubes and Liverpool scaffolding firm George Roberts will aim to beat that by 20 bells in Rotherham.

After the parade, a free concert in Clifton Park will feature local musicians and some from further afield, including Zimbabwean Afro-jazz queen Mangwenya and the Rubber Duck Orchestra.

Other attractions include the kaleidoscopic Colourscape Experience, a Chantry Brewery tent and the “world’s smallest disco”, held in a shed with room for just two people.

For more information on the day visit www.facebook.com/rotherhamcarnival and turn to page 29 of today's Advertiser for a preview of the carnival’s musical line-up.