Sunshine is guaranteed for this year’s Eastbourne Carnival – whatever the weather! Ray Mahabir’s Brixton-based carnival band Sunshine International Arts has designed the mas for the event, which is themed ‘Sussex by the Sea’.
And there’s another big attraction coming down from London to spend a day at the seaside – Metronomes Steel Orchestra.
Eastbourne Carnival chair Mina O’Brien told local media: “I am delighted that we have over 60 entrants representing our local community, and a few entries again from the Latin community – which proved to be very popular last year. I am very happy to be bringing the superb Metronomes to Eastbourne, allowing our community to enjoy the very best in steel pan, right on our seafront.”
Eastbourne Carnival takes place on Saturday 27 May and officially begins at 11.45am when Mayor Pat Rodohan jingles his chains of office at the Enterprise Shopping Centre next to the railway station. That will be the cue for a small parade to head off to Victoria Place.
The main carnival starts at 2pm from Fisherman’s Green and then heads along the seafront, spreading the joy of mas and pan along Royal Parade before passing the pier and Victoria Place and finishing at the Wish Tower Slopes at around 4.30pm
There will be time to enjoy some “carnival-themed music” at the street party in Victoria Place until 6.30pm.
Southern Trains’ website claims it will be running a normal service to the coast on Saturday, taking about 1 hour 30 min for the Victoria-Eastbourne journey. And the weather forecast really is – sunshine!
