The road to Rio via Fleet

Karen Neville

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

Take a trip to Brazil at this year’s Fleet Carnival for samba and celebrations to mark the 68th event with the theme of Rio de Janeiro. 

Fleet & District Carnival organisers are excited to see where your imagination takes you when it comes to this year’s procession! 

The procession, the carnival highlight, promises to be even more colourful this year with the exotic costumes reflecting the true spirit of Rio and as usual there are prizes for the best school entry, best walking entry and the best motorised entry. Which will be your favourite? 

Live music will entertain you all day, perhaps even as you samba? Enjoy sounds from Get Plucky, a ton of ukuleles, along with bass, cajon and a number of vocalists performing a wide selection of rock/pop singalong covers sure to get you dancing, singing and clapping along. Fleet Rock Orchestra bring their eclectic rock orchestral ‘big band’ sound. Congakeyz, The Funky Funks and The Filthy Llamas all add to the party. Over in the arena enjoy the skills and talents of Hart Gymnastics, Starburst Theatre Academy and Frogmore Dance School.  

Enjoy all the usual carnival fun and frolics with stalls and games galore and enter your four-legged friend into the Carnival Dog Show, with classes for all types of dog, you are bound to leave with a waggy tail and maybe even a prize! £2 entry fee per class. 

The Carnival Charity of the Year is local charity Stepping Stones DS, which provides a wide range of activities and services to help children and young people with Down syndrome to fulfil their potential. It invites families to become part of a local support network, along with a wide range of educational, physical and social activities and services for children and young people with Down syndrome, their families and the professionals involved in their care.  

Fleet & District Carnival is a local charity which has been a part of the community for almost 70 years. The committee is staffed entirely by volunteers who dedicate their time to organise this much-loved annual event bringing families and friends together whilst having fun and raising money for charity.