The idea
Experienced carnival artists will be commissioned to complete the work then we will carefully store the pieces ready for Carnival 50 at the end of May 2024 when they will be displayed by volunteers from the carnival family in Preston. We want to create a bigger than usual event by displaying past iconic pieces in a street procession followed by a park family fun day.
Some large carnival costumes are currently being stored but need professional repairs and refreshment work to bring them back to their original vibrant colours. We expect this work to take approximately 6 months from July to December 2023 when they will be stored in a clean, aired unit ready for our 2024 event.
Volunteer costume wearers will be sought in advance of the 2024 carnival, some will be the original wearers for whom the costumes were originally made.
We plan to tour with the large pieces to venues throughout Lancashire in order to promote Caribbean culture through costume, music and dance.
What we'll deliver
- Recreate iconic large piece carnival costumes
- Refurbish recent years large piece costumes
- Take all large piece costumes out on the road parade in 2024
- Celebrate 50 years of Caribbean culture in Preston, Lancashire
Why it's a great idea
We want to celebrate 50 years of Caribbean carnivals in Preston by displaying a larger array of vibrant coloured iconic costumes for all to see. For many years, large piece costumes have been stripped down and the materials recycled leaving limited photographic images to remind people of the day. By recreating them we will be able to display them once again at our annual carnival followed by visits to other Lancashire towns and villages throughout the summer of 2024 giving the public at large a taste of the Caribbean.
We will plan and execute a marketing plan to promote the event throughout Lancashire attracting new and existing visitors to Preston on carnival day. This will generate funds through donations and business sponsorship and in turn secure the future of the event and enable further developments locally.
Being involved in the event is open to all and ultimately our aim is to attract new participants from all cultures making our communities stronger and more resilient.
Steps to get it done
- Commission carnival artists
- Discuss cost and materials needed per costume
- Source additional storage facility
- Allocate which iconic costumes to an artist
- Issue appropriate work contracts and ensure sign off
- Pay interim artist fees and materials deposit
- Liaise with artists for progress and completion dates
- Purchase suitable protective covers for each piece
- Arrange a photographer to take in progress footage and photos
- Discuss ideas of possible of new venues to display costumes
- Display all at 2024 Preston Caribbean Carnival
Lancashire County Council have stated ‘if it matters to our communities, it matters to Lancashire County Council’ and are supporting eligible projects with a pledge from the new £500,000 Lancashire Culture and Sport Fund. It is possible to get up to £20,000 towards the target.
Crowdfund Lancashire will give local communities a chance to create and support the projects which matter most to them, while enabling everyone to contribute towards their community - chipping in as little as £2 to help bring ideas to life.
