Ryde Tableaux
Have you ever thought about all the work that goes into the costumes and floats that you see at Carnivals? In this new feature we hope to give you some idea.
As an association, Ryde Carnival Associations real function is to ensure that the Ryde Carnivals run safely and that everyone who enters the parades enjoys themselves. The production of a float is something that the members do for fun, this is one of the reasons why we as an association do not have a queens float, because in reality our association is about the community of Ryde and the Isle of Wight
On average a carnival float and costumes will take about 4,000 person hours over a nine month period to produce. Every aspect of the design has to be carefully planned, from safety features to weight and balance of the float, to total colour co-ordination of flyers, posters, and our magazine.
BRITANNIA - RYDE CARNIVAL ASSOCIATION 2011 THEME
Ryde Carnival is pleased to be showcasing their 2011 carnival float in the opening ceremony for the Island Games being held in Ryde on Saturday 25th June 2011.
This year we are building a traditional style float to celebrate the Island’s long tradition of Carnival Queens. Our theme is based around the Britannia legend. In AD43 the Romans first named our Islands "Britannia" and promptly gave our country a national logo - a goddess, armed with a trident and shield and wearing a helmet. To this day the Britannia goddess still personifies our country. She first appeared on our coinage in 1672 and can still be seen on our 50p coins and on many of our postage stamps.
The float team, supported by many friends from the local community, are busy making over 3,000 fabric flowers in red white and blue. These will be 'magically' transformed into a huge Union Jack which will flow from the base of Britannia, echoing memories of the flower floats of long ago.
The wardrobe team are beavering away designing and making satin and crystal organdie traditional/debutante style dresses for our carnival queens, some of whom will be seated on the float, whilst others will be on foot. We are especially pleased to welcome back a number of Ryde Carnival Queens from previous decades to perform on our float this year alongside our youngsters. As in recent years we will have additional floor performers in a variety of costumes in Victorian styles and patriotic colours. We invite any members of the community to join us in our carnival parades dressed in complimentary costumes. If interested pleased contact by emailing us on info@rydecarnival.co.uk.
Ryde Carnival Association are looking for more volunteers to help in all aspects of their work . This includes stewarding and collecting on the days of the carnival, help with constructing the float and making costumes, general administration, publicity and fund raising. Anyone interested in helping can email on info@rydecarnival.co.uk
Here on the Isle of Wight we are very lucky because there is a huge artistic talent pool that we can use. The Isle of Wight Councils' Art Unit has helped to promote Carnival Arts, by introducing new skills to schools and individuals. At Ryde Carnival Association we have been able to use those skills and talents of our members and we are pleased that we can carry on supporting local groups and schools with our small grants. As an association we also produce our own float each year to promote Ryde and join with other carnival associations for the benefit of the Island community.
Although the last carnival on the island is at the end of the summer holidays, the association has little time to rest before we have to start thinking about our tableau for the following year. We have a few weeks rest, then we all get together to have a debrief as to how the carnival season went. At this meeting we start the process of design again.
Ryde Carnival Association often require equipment or help from the public to ensure that their float and tableaux are enjoyed at all the Island carnivals. If you are willing to lend a hand to help build our float please contact the Association, either by letter or by e-mail at info@rydecarnival.co.uk
