This year’s Barking & Dagenham Carnival will be held in Barking town square on Saturday 8 July. Organised by UKON Careers and first held in 2014, it’s an inclusive, family-focused event that actively encourages participation of young people, those not so young and disabled persons.
Scheduled to run from 1pm to 6.30pm, the event will showcase global carnival traditions including steelpan, live soca music and dance performances from local and international artists. You can also expect African drumming and carnival craft workshops plus food trucks and stalls from local businesses
Soca News asked the organising team what they are looking forward to the most at this year’s event. UKON director Ros said: “This year’s event will bigger than previous years and we are excited about bringing international elements of carnival in the form of Dame Lorraine and Moko Jumbies.”
Monae, young apprentice – Business and Administration Level 3, added: “I’m most excited about giving people and families another chance to come together outside their houses and merge themselves into something so vibrant, energetic and culturally diverse. It’s great to have another chance this year to put smiles on the faces of people within the local neighbourhood. It will be a chance for people to dance, let their hair down, put on bright colourful clothes and eat carnival cuisine.”
Tia is another young apprentice in Business Administration Level 3. She commented: “I’m excited to see the Barking and Dagenham community at our carnival and to be working with UKON to help bring out the community during the summer. I love seeing families with smiles on their faces enjoying themselves at the carnival.”
UKON is seeking volunteers to assist with this event so if you’re interested contact: [email protected].
