Preston Caribbean Carnival has been granted funding from Arts Council England for this year’s event.

The registered charity’s annual carnival is set for Sunday 25 May, and organisers are busy planning the event as a follow-up to the 50th anniversary celebrations in 2024.

As ever, the upcoming Carnival will see a vibrant, colourful procession through urban streets with large costume pieces, decorated trucks and local dance troupes.

Read more: Taking a look at the city centre exhibition celebrating 50 years of Preston Caribbean Carnival

Chairperson Tracey Harris said: “I’m delighted that funding has been granted. Work has begun immediately to create big piece costumes along with truck decorations and participant involvement, anticipated to be in the region of 500 performers this year.

“The Arts Council funding will pay for artistic creations and live performances at the event. Fundraising continues to pay for health and safety costs.”

A celebration of the flamboyant, creative Caribbean culture within our city, Carnival is a great day out for all the family, with the procession starting at 1pm and being followed by a family fun day on Moor Park.

This includes live performances, sound systems, Caribbean and international food stalls, bar facility and plenty of children’s activities. It’s expected that over 25,000 visitors from across Lancashire and beyond will join in the fun.

Read more: 95 years on, Preston choir to perform Brahms’ Requiem once again

As ever, the festivities will start on the Saturday (24 May) with the One Park Music Festival, featuring live stage performances from 2pm until 8pm. Headliners Janet Kay and Carroll Thompson will be supported by Winston Reedy plus well known sound systems.

In the lead up to the main event, Carnival is collaborating with Preston Grasshoppers to run an Easter family fun day followed by a DJ and dancing on Saturday 19 April.

For more information visit the Preston Carnival website.

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This story was made possible by you, our readers, and a host of organisations in the city, through our Crowdfund Lancashire appeal, which unlocked support from the Lancashire Culture and Sport Fund provided by Lancashire County Council. You can see all our coverage and, if you know of an arts project or event in the city we should be covering, you can submit it for our event listings and/or send details to contactus@blogpreston.co.uk for us to cover it as a story on the Blog.