The Isle of Man Steam Packet Company is to be the exclusive sponsor of Douglas Carnival for the third successive year.

  The Isle of Man Steam Packet Company’s Renée Caley, extreme left and Richard Hird, extreme right, with Douglas Borough Council’s regeneration and community committee vice-chairman Janet Thommeny and Douglas town centre manager Oliver Cheshire with mascot Loki kitted out in carnival wear

The event will take place on Sunday July 15 and will see the company sponsoring all the prize categories in the carnival parade. These are:

• Best Float £250;

• Best Walking Group or Band £250;

• People’s Choice £250;

• Best Overall Entry £250;

• Best Youth Group £50;

• Best Charity Entry £50;

• Best Corporate Entry £50;

• Best Vehicle £50;

• Best National Group £50;

• Best Dancing Group £50;

• Best Agricultural Entry £50.

Regeneration and Community Committee Chair Councillor Stephen Pitts said: ‘We are pleased to be partnering once again with the Isle of Man Steam Packet Company. For the council to be aligned with the Steam Packet Company brand makes a very real difference to the scale and appeal of what has become one of the Island’s largest community events.

‘The Council, together with local businesses, voluntary organisations and individuals, puts a huge amount of effort into planning and staging the carnival which draws people from all over the island to our town. Last year it attracted more than 7,000 spectators, so the carnival has the power to be of significant benefit the Douglas economy.

‘It’s early days yet but, as always, we have listened and responded to feedback from previous years to ensure that Douglas Carnival 2018 will once again prove to be an unqualified success.’

Isle of Man Steam Packet Company chief executive Mark Woodward said: ‘We are pleased to have been involved with Douglas Carnival since its return in 2014. Each year it has been a successful community event with creative floats and parade performances helping to make the celebrations even more special.

‘This year will be our third as the exclusive sponsor and we are looking forward to the festivities on the day.’

The 2018 Douglas Carnival is on Sunday July 15. The parade will start at 3pm from the northern end of the promenade near the Summerland site and terminate at Harris Promenade, which will take centre stage for all the action and entertainment, while the floats will form a static display in front of the Villa Marina and Gaiety Theatre.

To register to take part in the Carnival parade visit Douglas Carnival's website.Douglas Carnival's website  

For more information contact Douglas town centre manager Oliver Cheshire or call 696304.