People are being encouraged to be extra creative with their floats for this year's Lord Mayor's Street Procession through Norwich.
The colourful parade takes place every summer to celebrate our city and Lord Mayor, and a special Carnival Inspiration Day was held at the Norwich Arts Centre on Saturday to help people start planning their entry into the 2016 procession.
A number of carnival experts took part in the day, including Pax Nindi from Global Carnival Centre, Andrew Prewer, a float designer from Bridgwater Carnival, and costume specialist Mia Harris. There was also a 'Brazil meet Cuba' night of music to round off the event.
Marcus Patteson, director of Norca (Norwich and Norfolk Community Arts) which ran Saturday's event in partnership with Norwich City Council, said: 'In the morning we looked at British carnival and context, and in the afternoon we looked at inspirational ideas and finished with a big discussion.'
He added: 'There's a really good buzz about the Lord Mayor's Procession. We want to get people thinking about their costumes and music and floats. We want to get people inspired to make it even more of an event for the audience.'
Emma Stevens, culture and events assistant at Norwich City Council and procession coordinator, added: 'The procession gives people an opportunity to showcase what they are about. Whether it's a community group, a business, a dance school, it gives them a chance to celebrate what they are about but also Norwich itself.'
She said there was a good number of people already signed up to be in this year's procession.
People have until June 13 to apply, but Mrs Stevens encouraged people to sign up as soon as possible so that they have more time to think about their procession entry.
She said there was no specific theme but that people needed to embrace 'the spirit of carnival.'
This year's procession will be staged on Saturday, July 2. To apply to take part, visit www.norwich.gov.uk
Do you have an arts story? Email arts correspondent Emma Knights at emma.knights@archant.co.uk
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