Huddersfield Carnival 2015: Pictures and video from the loudest, most colourful party in town

By Dave Himelfield From Huddersfield Examiner

Tens of thousands pack town centre streets and square for mass celebration of African and Caribbean culture

An explosion of colour, music and exotic smells filled Huddersfield town centre for a celebration of Caribbean culture.

Tens of thousands of people packed the town centre’s square and streets for the 2015 Huddersfield Carnival on Saturday.

There was concern last year about the carnival’s future after Kirklees Council was forced to withdraw its funding because of budget cuts.

But organisers, the Huddersfield African Caribbean Cultural Trust, worked extra hard to ensure there was another carnival to remember.

A parade of floats carrying ground-shaking sound systems followed by dancers in multi-coloured costumes made its way from the Hudawi Centre at Hillhouse into the town centre.

While the threat of a downpour was in the air, the rain just held off allowing for a exuberant atmosphere which culminated with a parade after-party in St George’s Square.

Alongside curried goat, rum cocktails and other Caribbean cuisine, revellers enjoyed live music from a stage at the bottom of the square.

At the top of the square women danced Caribbean-style, ‘whining’ to DJs playing bass heavy tunes which shook the pavement.

Raheem Lindsay was the Huddersfield Carnival fairy King.
The carnival proved a massive boost for town centre businesses with customers spilling out of takeaways and pubs along the parade route.

Carnival regulars Charlie and Toni Beaumont, of Kirkheaton, and their friends were well prepared for this year’s festivities having arranged a circle of deck chairs in the centre of St George’s Square.

Charlie, 56, said: “We come most years. In some ways it’s better in the square, rather than Greenhead Park.”

Commenting on the super-loud music Charlie added: “It’s how the music should be. We wouldn’t come if we didn’t like it!”

Toni, 53, said: “We’ve been having a great time. As you can see, we came prepared.”

As well as attracting fun-seekers from Huddersfield, the carnival brought visitors from Manchester, Leeds and beyond.

Brooke Reed was the Huddersfield Carnival fairy queen.
Repeat visitors from out of town included Cherrie Dyer, from Leeds.

Cherrie, 26, said: “There’s a really good crowd. The atmosphere is really good – that’s what I come for.

“I really like the loud bass – that’s one of the best things about the carnival.”

IMAGES:
Huddersfield Carnival procession.

For more on this story, images and video go to: http://www.examiner.co.uk/news/west-yorkshire-news/huddersfield-carnival-2015-pictures-video-9638467