The first Schools of Chesham Carnival took place in 1974 and was founded by local resident David Steel. The carnival continues to this day, traditionally on the 2nd Saturday in June each year. It is a charitable event run by a committee of volunteers made up of parents, both past and present, from ten local schools. Schools of Chesham Carnival is a registered charity raising valuable funds for all the participating schools who help organize this homegrown event.
Each year there is a theme to the carnival and the children, parents and teachers of the schools create their floats to complete for the winner’s trophy! This year’s theme is Music! Many local business, pubs, clubs and community projects also join in the procession to make it a truly community-based event. The procession lasts approximately 50 minutes starting in Asheridge Road continuing onto Bellingdon Road and Townsend Road and finally proceeding down Chesham high street.
After the procession, Lowndes Park becomes very much the central hub of carnival day with amusements for all the family – such as a petting farm, bouncy castles, trampolines, face painting, henna designs and craft activities. There are around seventy stalls selling homemade sweets, chocolates and artifacts with others running games plus a choice of fair-ground attraction stalls for all ages. There is the bottle tombola stall with approximately 400 bottles to win, all contributed by families from the local schools. Food, refreshments and a bar are also available.
Throughout the day local dance schools and clubs display their routines, skills and talents in the main arena in the park. Additionally, the Town Mayor announces the winners of the trophies for the best school and local business floats. Not forgetting the Grand Draw Raffle organized and run by the committee with prizes predominantly donated from local retailers and businesses.
For up to date information follow @CheshamCarnival on Twitter or @SoCC2018 on Facebook. To donate, sponsor or volunteer contact info@schoolsofcheshamcarnival.co.uk
Registered Charity No: 1029408