Brazil themed carnival for Hampshire town

The annual event, now in its third year, will see hundreds take to the streets to bring a flavour of Rio de Janeiro or New Orleans to the Hampshire town.

A week of Mardi Gras-themed activities starts on September 13 culminating in a procession through the streets of the town on September 20.

Eastleigh Mardi Gras was designed to replace the town’s carnival which ended after 124 years, and each year organisers try to do something different.

An estimated 8,000 people attended last year’s event with more than 200 people in the parade.

And once again, organisers are hoping hundreds of people will line the streets to cheer on the procession, for which the theme is pirates and princesses.

It will be led by a New Orleans-style band from Chandler’s Ford while other musicians, dancers and groups will join in.

The carnival bull, made by Eastleigh College students for last year’s parade, will once again take part.

The procession starts from Leigh Road, outside The Point theatre at 5pm and takes a route through the town centre streets.

In the run up there will also be three workshops at the Pavilion on the Park this Friday, September 12 and September 19 from 4pm to 6pm for children to get help with their pirate and princess costumes.

The main Mardi Gras event, which runs on September 20 from 10am ahead of the procession, will see numerous stalls and entertainment at the Leigh Road Recreation Ground.

This will include food stalls, games, have-a-go sessions, a tombola, rodeo bull, face painting and performances from bands and choirs on the bandstand and in Wells Place.

Money raised will go to local projects supported by Eastleigh Lions.

Councillor Chris Thomas, one of the organisers, said the event was growing year on year.

“This year is going to be more interesting than last year, slightly different and something for everybody,” he added.

“The object of the exercise is to have fun and raise money.”

n For more information visit eastleighmardigras.com.