‘Royalty’ to guest at Douglas Carnival

When Douglas Carnival takes to the streets on Saturday July 19th it will be graced by ‘royalty’.

19-year-olds Tom Kinrade and Ciara Sullivan have been selected Carnival King and Queen.

The carnival organisers asked Douglas secondary schools to submit candidates for the title, based on students’ contribution to the community, and it was Ciara from Saddlestone and Tom from Santon, both former Ballakermeen High School students, who most impressed the judging panel of the Mayor of Douglas Councillor Stan Cain JP, Council Leader Councillor David Christian MBE JP and Regeneration and Community Committee Chairman Councillor Stephen Pitts.

On learning he had been chosen Tom (pictured left) said: ‘Privileged and honoured are just two words I could use to suit my feelings about being nominated, let alone winning, Carnival King, and it's weird to think that my school contributions have been rewarded so highly. It's an incredible way to celebrate finishing my school career. And who better to share the honour with than Ciara.’

Tom, who hopes to pursue a career in nursing, was described by his school as ‘a stalwart member’ of the school’s theatre backstage crew, council and sixth form committees, and a student who had ‘participated tirelessly’ in charity fundraising. He was also praised for his ‘resilience and positivity’.

Nominating Ciara (pictured below) the school singled out her work with children in the special unit and how she was ‘highly thought of’ by all the staff, especially those in the unit who had been impressed by her ‘happy disposition and sincere and earnest engagement’ with the children. She was also praised for being ‘caring, compassionate, empathetic and dedicated’.

On hearing she was to be Carnival Queen she said: ‘I was truly honoured just to be nominated, let alone chosen. It’s been quite overwhelming. Working in the school’s special unit is something I’ll treasure for a very long time, so to have that recognised is absolutely fantastic. Tom and I have guided each other in the nursing application process so sharing this experience with him will be such a special way to end our A levels. Douglas Carnival is a lovely event for the town to be holding and I’m very excited to be part of it.’

Entries are now closed and all that’s needed now is for everyone to turn up for what’s sure to be a memorable event.

The action kicks off at 2pm the length of Douglas promenade with the Fun Day: four hours of live performances, all kinds of attractions, food outlets, merchandise stalls and much more.

Come 6.30pm it’s carnival time with Hospice Isle of Man’s Colour Me Rainbow run, followed by the ultimate wheelie bin race and then the carnival parade, all starting from Strathallan Terrace and making their colourful and musical way along the promenade. Expect floats, bands, vintage vehicles, dance groups and a whole lot more.

And from 7.30pm it’s the After Party at the Bottleneck car park where Okell’s has set up a bar and there’ll be more live local bands and entertainment to keep the carnival atmosphere going until late.

Council Leader Councillor David Christian MBE JP said: ‘After months of planning Douglas Carnival is only days away. It’s taken a tremendous amount of hard work by so many people, not least Council officers and the Douglas Development Partnership team and Councillor John Faragher and the Community Committee. We’re also grateful to the many local businesses which have generously provided sponsorship. Reviving Douglas Carnival has been a marathon task but from day one we’ve been encouraged by the overwhelming enthusiasm on the part of everyone involved for the carnival to succeed. Douglas knows how to put on a show - just think of our annual fireworks display and Christmas lights ceremony…and now the Douglas Carnival.

‘This is the ultimate community event for the whole Island so I would urge everyone, not just people in Douglas, to support the carnival and come along and join in what will be a fantastic event for all the family.’

From midday on Saturday July 19th parking will be free at Pulrose Road and Shaw’s Brow car parks and there’s also plenty of free parking in Noble’s Park car park.

On carnival day motorists are advised not to park their vehicles on the promenade and to be alert to road closures.