Saturday July 18th promises to be an action-packed family day out in the Isle of Man after the organisers of the 2015 Douglas Carnival confirmed that the event will take place the same day as the Peel Viking longboat races.

A scene from the 2014 Douglas carnival

The carnival is, once again, being organised jointly by Douglas Development Partnership and Douglas Borough Council. Regeneration and Community Committee Chairman Councillor John Skinner said: ‘Having the carnival and the longboat races on the same day can only but benefit both events. We have been working closely with the longboat races’ organisers and they, like us, see only positives in holding the two events on July 18th. With the races due to be on from 11am to 4pm and the carnival starting in the early evening it means visitors can enjoy and not miss out on any of the action in Peel or Douglas.

‘These are complementary not competing community events which, combined, will offer a great opportunity for the people of the Isle of Man to have fantastic 12-hour-plus day out.’

Nigel Rawlinson chairman and Jimmy Lee, secretary of the Peel Viking Longboat races’ organising committee said: ‘We’re perfectly comfortable with Douglas carnival coinciding with our event. Our dates are, of course, governed by the tides, and should bad weather mean we can’t hold the races on July 18th, our reserve date is some two weeks later, so wouldn’t affect the carnival if that had to be held on Sunday the 19th. 

‘The races are traditionally a fantastic crowd puller, so we’re confident people will be in “Peel party mood” and keen to carry on having a great time in the evening in Douglas at the carnival. From our point of view we believe July 18th will be a date in the Isle of Man’s social calendar that’s not to be missed.’