Crowds flocked to Swanage’s seafront to view the carnival procession, back after a two year wait due to the pandemic.
At around 3 pm on Sunday 31st July 2022, the parade started from De Moulham Road next to Sandpit Field and despite a few hitches with one of the floats breaking down, the procession finished In Victoria Avenue, having wound its way through the town centre.
Aerobatic display over the bay
To start the spectacular off, an airshow by Rich Goodwin took to the skies, performing an aerobatic display over the bay.
Back on the ground the UK Beach Buggy Club members revved up their engines and were the first to amuse the crowds with their multicoloured and decorated buggies.
Procession float winning entries
Meanwhile the floats were being judged and the winners announced
Best in Purbeck: The Lowry Family .
Best overall: Swanage Town and Herston Football club.
Large tableau: Purbeck Flower Group.
Small tableau:St George’s Pre School and Dragon Club.
Best comical: The Lowry Family.
Trade: Woodyhyde.
Spiderman outfits
The first of the marching bands was the Bournemouth Carnival Band dressed in their trademark Spiderman outfits.
Other bands during the procession included the Brentwood Imperial Youth Band, The Ringwood Pipe Band, the Bournemouth Youth Marching Band, Vectis Corps of Drums, Wessex Majorettes and the Medina Marching Band.
The Top Hat Riders – a parade of shiny motorbikes, rode through the streets of Swanage entertaining the crowds with their decorations and fancy dress.
Lifeboat crew got paged during the parade
The local emergency services joined in the show, with the fire service, coastguard and RNLI all taking part, although the lifeboat crew had to leave quickly to respond to an emergency call.
Others taking part included Swanage Town and Herston Football Club, Swanage and Wareham Rugby Club, Swanage Area Dementia Friendly Community, Allsort’d, The Royal Oak Pub.
Bringing Rio to Swanage
Also invited was the Swanage Town Mayor Tina Foster and the Swanage Town Crier Andrew Fleming.
Ending the show and bringing a little bit of Rio to Swanage were Raw Samba, Rampage Mas Band and Samba Panashe – a truly joyful and energetic finale.
Record crowds
Helped by the warm and dry weather, it’s believed this year’s procession attracted a record number of spectators for recent times and plenty of donations too.
It was reported that some collection buckets got so full they had to be emptied twice during the day!
Watch Granny Turismo – the first and only shopping trolley dance display team!
