New '˜reversed route' for Northampton Carnival revealed

In 2015 the carnival was held at Abington Park for the first time in nearly 20 years, meaning floats were taken into the heart of the residential areas in Abington.

Chair of the organising committee Morcea Walker had hoped to keep the carnival at Abington Park this year, but the 2016 event on June 11, will be staged at the Racecourse, as part of the borough council’s plans to place more events on the park off Kettering Road.

It means this year the parade floats will follow a reverse route to 2015.

Mrs Walker said; “Our aim is give the paraders a good opportunity to see Northampton and there are certainly one or two residential areas it will go by, which we will notify in due course.

“We want the paraders, who come form all round the country, to get a feel of what Northampton is like and we want people to enjoy the spectacle from their doorstep, from their windows.”

Starting at the Racecourse, the parade floats will head along Kettering Road, Abington Street, Derngate, St Giles Street, York Road, Wellingborough Road, Roseholm Road, Roe Road, Abington Avenue and Abington Grove before returning to the Racecourse.

The route has also been designed to take into account the closure of St Giles Street due to improvement works.

“So many people came out to watch the carnival from their homes last year, especially along Wellingborough Road,” Mrs Walker said. “We are hoping to have the same good feeling.”

More information about road closures, timings and changes to bus routes will be available in the next few weeks. Streets on the parade route will also receive notification.

The Northampton Carnival Arts Consortium is still looking for people to appear at the parade or bands, dance troupes, or other acts who want to appear on the main stage at the Racecourse.

To register your interest email: [email protected]