Attracting around 20,000 people to Southend seafront with over 50 floats and acts, the Southend SummerCare Carnival Procession is one of the largest in the UK.

The carnival procession includes colourful floats, exciting acts, dancers, bands, big costumes and much more.

Expect flag waving, all kinds of music, bright lights and a great atmosphere within the crowd!

The carnival will start at Southchurch Park at 7.45pm, travelling along the seafront through City Beach and passing Southend Pier at 8.30pm, before arriving at Shorefield Road in Westcliff at around 10pm.

This year’s carnival is being supported by SummerCare who are a Southend-­‐based provider of supported living and residential care services for adults with learning disabilities, mental health problems, physical and sensory impairments.

SummerCare has been the main supporter of Southend Carnival for four years aiming to champion inclusion for all in the wider community.

SummerCare are hosting an Accessible Viewing Area on Southend Seafront for people with disabilities or those who wish to view the procession in a more secure environment but still with a fun carnival atmosphere!

This will be in the raised fenced-­‐ off platform above the toilets between Fairheads Car Park (by the Sealife Centre) and the water fountains on Marine Parade.

If you would like to use the Accessible Viewing Area, please email us to register your free place: info@southendcarnival.org.uk.

Echo:

2015 Southend SummerCare Carnival Procession Highlights

Just a few of the fantastic groups taking part in this year’s carnival… Bournemouth Carnival Band: ‘Europe’s most unusual comedy marching band’ You won’t be able to miss this!

20 band members will be marching along Southend seafront playing a variety of music, all dressed as Spidermen!

The band describes themselves as a “finely sculptured body of musical fun makers”.

Rampage Mas Band!

A must-­‐see in the carnival procession!

Rampage tour the UK with their Mas Band, bringing huge colourful costumes, lively music and lots of excitement to every carnival they take part in.

Each year their team of artists and producers create a unique collection of vibrant carnival costumes.

This year their theme is based on American Indian tribes and areas of their lives such as their homes, ancestors, warriors and dancers.

BrazilArte Based in Southend, BrazilArte promote and develop Brazilian culture, art, music and dance through their workshops, classes and educational programmes.

They will be taking part in Southend Carnival, bringing their rhythms, dance, music and masks to the seafront!

Southend Carnival is a huge project that costs nearly £15k to put on the seafront procession.

Garry Lowen, Chair of Southend Carnival, explains: “We heavily rely on the generosity of local companies to sponsor and support our events, including SummerCare, Rossi Ice Cream, VIP Security, Swan Creative, Gleneagles Guesthouse, Radio Essex, Olympus Keymed, Genting Westcliff, MWS Accountants and the Park Inn Hotel Southend.”

“We are very grateful to each and every one of our sponsors and supporters. If you are interested in sponsoring or supporting our community events, please do get in touch with us.

“When Southend Carnival started more than a Century ago, the procession event raised money for the town’s very first hospital, Victoria Cottage, in Warrior Square.

"In 1930 the money raised paid for the general hospital and, twenty years later it helped build a housing estate in Eastwood Road, Leigh, for the town’s elderly people."

Garry Lowen added: “Southend Carnival is now the largest community event in Southend and our aim is to bring the entire town to together through our events and support others with their own events to raise money for local charitable causes.

Find Southend Carnival on Facebook for all the latest event information: www.facebook.com/SouthendCarnival or visit: www.southendcarnival.org.uk