Charivari 2017

Charivari Day comes of age this year, as this is the 21st carnival, and will take place on Saturday 8th July.

To celebrate the Charivari organisers Strange Cargo are partnering with the 2017 Folkestone Triennial and all the costumes in the parade will be inspired by the Triennial theme double edge. So as the parade makes its noisy way through Folkestone, pay careful attention to the hundreds of colourful costumes, because amidst the miles of floating ribbon and the sea of glitter, there are glimpses of what to look out for when the Triennial artworks are unveiled on 2nd September… there will be an array of extraordinary hybrid carnival sculptures that have been inspired by the double edge idea of bringing two objects to make something new. See what you can spot!.

The whole Charivari process is energised by the incredible community and school groups who, along with the talented Strange Cargo carnival artist team will be making this year's event a huge success. More than 600 fabulously extravagant costumed revelers will parade through the streets. The compelling music and rhythms in the procession will be provided by streetbands and musicians from across the UK.

The parade sets off from The Stade in Folkestone Harbour at 2pm, makes its way up The Old High Street, through the Town Centre Precinct, along West Terrace where it joins The Leas and makes its its way up The Old High Street, through the Town Centre Precinct, along West Terrace where it joins The Leas and makes its leisurely way to The Bandstand.

This year coincides with the Battle of Britain flypast, which will be happening at 4pm on The Leas and the carnival music programme will follow with brilliant headliners Steve Boltz and Dead Man's Corner from 4.20-6pm.

Huge thanks goes to Lewis Biggs, the curator of the 2017 Folkestone Triennial and all the generous funders whose support enables Strange Cargo to continue to offer this event free of charge to the participants. Funders include Arts Council England, Creative Foundation, 2017 Folkestone Triennial, Roger De Haan Charitable Trust, Shepway District Council, Kent County Council, Folkestone Town Council, Rotary Club of Folkestone Channel, Folkestone Rotary Club, Cllrs. Rodica Wheeler, Carol Sacre and Mary Lawes.