Brighton Carnival  History

What was the impact of the 1923 Brighton Carnival?

 

The aim of the first Brighton carnivals in the 1920s was to promote Brighton as a seaside resort. The event ran successfully every year until the out-break of the Second World War, during which many local events subsided.

 

However, in the 1960s, local organisers sought to reinstate the Carnival. 1964 saw the first Brighton Carnival for over two decades, organised by the Black Lion Club and supported by the local residents.

 

The 1964 Carnival also had a procession along Madeira Drive that finished in the town centre, with decorated floats, a fancy dress parade, music and dancing. Local resident Ken Ross attended with his cinefilm camera and recorded the pageant at Madeira Drive and Preston Park.

 

The film can be seen on the My Brighton and Hove website using the link below:

 

1964 Brighton Carnival Filmed by Ken Ross

 

In 1965 the carnival returned in full swing, and continued every year until 1991. The photos below show the involvement of local businesses, such as the Evening Argus float with 'The Argus Girls' mascots, and the 1979 Canada Dry float.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

5a: 1965 Carnival Float - The Evening Argus

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

5b: 1979 Carnival Float - Canada Dry and Year of the Children

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

5c: 'Argus Girls' in Preston Park, 1960s

 

 

Current events, celebrations and festivals

 

Brighton hosts a range of events nowadays, from the world-renowned Brighton Fringe Festival in May, to smaller events such as antiques and vintage fayres. The long-running annual London to Brighton Veteran Car Run is set to go ahead again in November 2013. For those interested in photography, the town hosts the Brighton Photo Bienniale every other autumn, which attracts hundreds of thousands of visitors. The summer sees the The Great Escape Festival, now in its seventh year, as well as the Brighton Fashion Week. In the meantime, the town plays host to many comedy, music, dance and theatre performances, and political marches.

 

For a list of future events, click on the link to visit the Brighton Tourist Information Guide, at http://www.visitbrighton.com/

 

 

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Image References:

5a: Float at Brighton Carnival, 1964. Private Collection of Mary Reed. My Brighton and Hove. http://www.mybrightonandhove.org.uk

5b:  at Brighton Carnival, 1979. Private Collection of Harry Atkins. My Brighton and Hove. http://www.mybrightonandhove.org.uk