Sittingbourne carnival returns

Celebrate Sittingbourne’s unique character and heritage with the town’s first summer carnival in five years!

The organisers of the event, Sittingbourne and District Carnival Association, received £5,000 from the UK Government’s Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF), secured through the council’s Town Action Grant (TAG) which helped make the event possible.

The carnival parade including floats, music and performances, will travel through Sittingbourne and Milton Regis on Sunday 25 August kicking off at 1pm from Milton Recreation Ground.

You will be able to watch the procession as it rumbles on its route through Vicarage Road, Milton Regis’ High Street, Crown Road, Chalkwell Road, London Road (A2) before finishing off at the end of Sittingbourne’s High Street.

There are over 50 entries in this years’ parade including; local dance schools, baton twirlers and gymnastic clubs, sports car groups, local Nurseries, nine flatbed lorries and other floats, the Babes in Buggies community, carnival courts, fire engines and a horse drawn carriage.

The event will feature music from around the world including Sittingbourne’s UK paper Band, who have been practicing in a confined space in preparation for performing on a moving lorry, a Samba marching band and Bavarian music from the famous Oompah Band.

Sittingbourne Carnival dates all the way back to 1893 and this year’s event aims to promote and uphold this cherished tradition and unify Sittingbourne’s residents, whilst showcasing the town’s rich history and cultural heritage.

Kelly Brickland, from the Sittingbourne and District Carnival Association, said:

“Swale Borough Council’s Town Centre Action grant has given a significant boost to the successful return of the Sittingbourne Carnival in 2024, our first since 2019.

“With the fund's support, we are able to put on a fantastic event that will bring the community together and draw visitors back to both Milton Regis and Sittingbourne High Streets.

“The support, particularly in funding the samba and oompah bands for the procession, will add a vibrant and unforgettable element to the day, ensuring a joyful celebration for everyone who attends.

“Sittingbourne & District Carnival Association are extremely grateful for the contribution and with hard work from the volunteers, who will help to run and take part in the procession, we feel it will be a huge success.

“We hope our community and the visitors of the town thoroughly enjoy the return of Sittingbourne Carnival and make many fantastic, happy memories together of the day!”

TAG has helped fund the events logistics, permits, security, marketing, insurance, participant coordination, and has enabled investments into high quality floats, captivating performances and engaging activities.

There will be five temporary road closures from 1pm to 5pm on Sunday that will make the parade possible:

1. Vicarage Road - from the junction with Laxton Way to the junction of Milton’s High Street.
2. Milton’s High Street - from the junction with North Street to the junction with Crown Road
3. Crown road
4. Chalkwell road
5. London Road (A2) - from the junction of Chalkwell Road to the junction of West Street
6. West Street
7. Sittingbourne’s High Street

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