It’s almost time for Europe’s biggest free street festival: Notting Hill Carnival.
The 59 year-old annual community-led event will be celebrated the Summer Bank Holiday Weekend of 25 to 27 August with the Children’s Day Parade taking place on Sunday the 26th.
A few weeks back, I attended a Carnival press launch at The Tabernacle events space in Notting Hill. During the launch, Executive Director Matthew Phillip stressed the history of the festival (especially with respect to the 70th anniversary of the arrival of the first Windrush immigrants from the Caribbean to the UK) while placing emphasis on family oriented activities. Performances by a youth dance group and youth steel drum band supported his assertions.
Food served during the launch was tasty and offered a chance for me to try Trinidadian street food, doubles, for the first time. Of course, for libations rum was the go-to. I especially enjoyed Duppy Share (a blend of Jamaican and Barbadian rums) served straight up as well as mixed with Ting grapefruit soda.
For more information about Notting Hill Carnival including details of the parade routes, live performances and sound systems go to the Carnival’s new website: nhcarnival.org.
The Tabernacle is located at 34-35 Powis Square, W11 2AY, which is a good hub to keep in mind during the festival. More at tabernaclew11.com.
