Experience Rio’s Magic on the Road at Fleet Carnival

Round & About

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Fleet becomes Rio de Janeiro on Saturday, 5th July when carnival comes to town bringing with it a touch of South America 

Celebrate Rio at Fleet Carnival

Get ready to take a colourful trip to Brazil this year at the 68th Fleet & District Carnival, themed around Rio de Janeiro! This annual celebration promises samba, vibrant costumes, and nonstop entertainment.

🎭 Join the Parade

The procession remains carnival’s highlight. This year, expect dazzling costumes inspired by Rio’s carnival spirit. Moreover, you can take part—or cheer on school groups, walking entries, and mobile floats as they compete for prizes!

🎶 Live Music and Performances

We’ll fill the day with fantastic music and performances:

  • First, enjoy Get Plucky—a ukulele ensemble with bass, cajon, and vocalists—perfect for singalongs.
  • Next, the Fleet Rock Orchestra delivers a grand, rock-orchestral big band sound.
  • Additionally, Congakeyz, The Funky Funks, and The Filthy Llamas bring the party atmosphere.
  • Meanwhile, in the arena, enjoy performances by Hart Gymnastics, Starburst Theatre Academy, and Frogmore Dance School.

🐾 Fun for Families (and Pets!)

Explore stalls, games, and more. Don’t miss the Carnival Dog Show—with classes for all dogs, just £2 per entry. You’re sure to leave with wagging tails and smiles all around!

🎗️ Supporting a Special Charity

Carnival’s Charity of the Year is Stepping Stones DS, which supports children and young people with Down syndrome, along with their families and carers. They offer many educational, social, and physical programs to help participants thrive.

🤝 A Community Tradition

For almost 70 years, Fleet & District Carnival, entirely volunteer-run, has united our community. As a result, the event delivers joy, laughter, and charitable fundraising year after year.

Come along for a dazzling celebration of music, costumes, and community—and create memories inspired by Rio’s magic.

More about the carnival and its history here

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Book your place in vintage parade

Karen Neville

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Wallingford Vehicle Rally and Parade is back this May and tickets go on sale on Friday 3rd February

Wallingford’s hugely popular vehicle rally and parade is back on Sunday, 14th May showcasing classic, custom and unusual vehicles from bicycles to tanks.

Tickets to take part in the 300 vehicle parade around Wallingford and park on the Kinecroft go on sale at 8pm on Friday 3rd February.

Organisers say: “On the 3rd February at 8pm we will share the GiveTap link via our website, email and on social media to enable you to purchase your ticket.

“All tickets are £20 plus a booking fee, like last year all profits raised are going to local charitable causes.

“We are also offering 30 PARADE ONLY tickets for any vehicle. These go on sale in a few weeks time (date tbc); this is to avoid confusion with the main ticket sales.”

Vehicles of all shapes and sizes take part in the parade through town in convoy – quite a sight – if you’re lucky enough to be on the parade route, pull up a chair and take a front row seat and watch the impressive sight. Where else can you see a 1957 Chevrolet Bel Air parked behind a 2CV or a big American classic alongside a super car?

In addition to watching them drive past, visitors on the day will also get the chance to ride in a classic or supercar courtesy of The Sporting Bears Motor Club. Ride in the car of your dreams in exchange for a donation to charity, another great reason to attend the fun event.

There are stalls and food vendors for everyone to enjoy alongside an incredible selection of classic motors. Something for everyone and what’s more, it’s all in a good cause with a variety of local causes benefitting from funds raised on the day.

Find out more and to get those precious tickets visit at www.wallingfordcarrally.org.uk

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Happy birthday to The Parade Cinema!

Round & About

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We join The Parade Cinema team in celebrating their first anniversary and can’t imagine Marlborough Town without them, one year after opening.

Since opening last September, they have served 1.8 tonnes of popcorn, poured 19,600 glasses of wine and 38,000 cups of coffee and shown a total of 583 different films, spread across the regular Kids’ Club, subtitled films, Parent & Baby sessions, as well as live performances from The Royal Opera House, Met Opera and National Theatre.

Cinema manager David Williams says: “It’s been an amazing first year and so exciting to be able to bring cinema back to Marlborough. The reception has been incredible, and it’s truly wonderful to see how the people of Marlborough have flocked to The Parade. I am so proud of what the team have made here and all the events we have been able to put on. We have some exciting things happening between now and the end of the year, and 2023 is looking like an incredible year for film.

“There has been lots going on, and it’s great to contribute to such a brilliant community with our pop-up events, including our very successful Family Music Festival and Easter Bunny Hunt – we genuinely feel we have something for everyone.

“As a cinema, the films take centre stage, and our most popular in this opening year has been Top Gun Maverick, which has been viewed by nearly 6,500 people, closely followed by No Time To Die. Belfast, Downton Abbey, Dune, Elvis, Liquorice Pizza and Boiling Point.”

“It’s great to contribute to such a brilliant community with our pop-up events.”

The Parade Cafe is a great place to meet friends and enjoy delicious food made in-house by the fantastic team.  And with their heated outdoor courtyard and fabulous bar, you can be sipping a cocktail, a pint of beer, gin & tonic or cup of coffee and enjoying the beautiful surroundings of this historic building.

There is so much to look forward to in the coming months with the Halloween Hunt for Kids’ Club on Saturday, 29th October, and a Film Festival & Christmas Market (with live music and a visit from Father Christmas) from Friday 2nd to Sunday 4th December.

The Parade Cinema’s weekly newsletter gives you film and ticket information and advance notice on special events. You might like to become a Friend of The Parade with an annual membership which gives you free tickets, early booking, discounts on tickets, food & drink, and local businesses.

Find out more

See their website www.theparadecinema.com

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Parade with Pride

Karen Neville

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Woking is the venue for the first Pride event to take place in Surrey and Woking couldn’t be prouder to be hosting the celebration.

The colourful vibrant parade will start at HG Wells Conference Centre, when accompanied by the Mayor of Woking it will pass through the town gates and around the centre.

From midday the gates will open in Woking Park where you can enjoy live entertainment on the big stage until 10pm. There will be a large family/youth zone including activities, workshops, face paint and support guidance as well as food and drink stalls and local traders.

The chairman of Pride in Surrey, Stephen Ireland said not only does this year mark the 50th anniversary of Stonewall but also now the first year of an LGBT+ Pride event in Surrey.

He said: “I am thrilled to be working with such a supportive council and Outline Surrey to not only create an amazing event but also raise awareness of the available support to those within the community.”

Mayor of Woking, cllr Will Forster, said they were delighted Woking will host the inaugural Pride in Surrey parade on Saturday, 10th August.

He said: “It is another example of Woking’s growing reputation for hosting colourful and inclusive annual events.

“Pride in Surrey celebrates the inclusion and diversity of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender (LGBT+) culture and community within Surrey.”

Want to go?

Tickets are required for the event in Woking Park, they are free to all but organisers need you to register to plan for your health and safety.

For more information

Pride in Surrey

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