IN PICTURES: Carnival atmosphere at Bognor Rox Mardi Gras

Bognor's first ever Rox Mardi Gras has been hailed as a huge success.
By The Newsroom
Published 18th Apr 2016, 16:31 BST
Updated 7th Jun 2018, 18:42 BST

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Stage performers entertaining the crowd. All pictures by Kate Shemilt. ks16000566-5 SUS-160418-093508008Stage performers entertaining the crowd. All pictures by Kate Shemilt. ks16000566-5 SUS-160418-093508008
Stage performers entertaining the crowd. All pictures by Kate Shemilt. ks16000566-5 SUS-160418-093508008

More than 4,000 people turned out to enjoy the festivities in Hotham Park on Saturday, and even the wet weather couldn’t dampen the carnival atmosphere.

Rox in the Park takes place every year and is handed over to final year students at Chichester University to organise.

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This year’s theme was Mardi Gras and a celebration of music and arts culture from around the world.

A procession of drummers during the parade.ks16000566-3 SUS-160418-093426008A procession of drummers during the parade.ks16000566-3 SUS-160418-093426008
A procession of drummers during the parade.ks16000566-3 SUS-160418-093426008

Lois Baw and seven other events management students at the Bognor campus put on the weekend’s event.

Lois said: “It was a real success, except for the weather it went really well.

“We had a few spells of sunshine and luckily that was when we held our two parades which created a real atmosphere.

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“We had over 4,000 people come along, everyone was in high spirits and we’ve had really positive feedback.”

Wendy Sealy and Shonali Roidriguez enjoying the day.ks16000566-1 SUS-160418-093407008Wendy Sealy and Shonali Roidriguez enjoying the day.ks16000566-1 SUS-160418-093407008
Wendy Sealy and Shonali Roidriguez enjoying the day.ks16000566-1 SUS-160418-093407008

A temporary stage was set up in front of the bandstand, where performances came from talented Chichester singer Marley Blandford, as well as a jazz band and dance troop.

The Sunken Circus provided stilt walkers who followed the parade and provided one of the highlights with a powder paint dance dressed as fairies.

Creating plenty of noise was a samba band from Portsmouth, who led the parade and got children and adults dancing to the beat.

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There was a number of other attractions to keep families entertained, including craft and food stalls from local producers, a children’s area and face painting and mask making.

Entertainments on the Bandstand.ks16000566-4 SUS-160418-093438008Entertainments on the Bandstand.ks16000566-4 SUS-160418-093438008
Entertainments on the Bandstand.ks16000566-4 SUS-160418-093438008

Lois added: “The team were brilliant and it’s such a proud feeling that so many people came along and helped make it such a success.”

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Performers at the event.ks16000566-9 SUS-160418-093306008Performers at the event.ks16000566-9 SUS-160418-093306008
Performers at the event.ks16000566-9 SUS-160418-093306008
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Related topics:BognorChichesterPortsmouth