Granville Carnival
12th to the 16th February 2010
A riot of colour and energy, the annual 136th Granville Carnival will take away the long winter blues, and kick start you into springtime and optimism.
Multitudes of beautifully decorated floats, the denizens of the town decked themselves out in fanciful costumes, with the air becoming a mass of confetti, bright hue d streamers and buntings increasing the party buzz of the walled seaside town.
The event traces its roots back to when the fisherman of Granville were preparing for the treacherous annual trip to Newfoundland, the culmination of the celebrations being Mardi Gras around the Shrove Tuesday festivities. One can imagine the sailors totally letting their hair down and with good reason, for the voyage to Newfoundland and the northern seas was long and fraught with dangers, and they might never have seen their homes again.
Festivities begin on the Saturday with a children’s parade and carnival ball, bands and groups of musicians also entertain the populace in various quarters of the town.
The grand cavalcade threads through the town on the Sunday, with an evening of illuminations and fireworks.
On Monday the spectacle of “ Bal et papa “ takes place, an activity generally restricted to players with experience.
Tuesday brings the voyage of the grand mascot of the carnival through the streets to court, its grim verdict being guilty. The mascot will then be set alight and the battle of confetti will commence, using astonishingly around 5 tons of multicoloured confetti. To bring the event to a close a soiree de intrigues or mysterious fancy dress evening will take place around the town, bars and restaurants aglow with festival humour and good cheer.
Official Carnivale website:
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