This year, the Belfast Carnival (formerly the Lord Mayor's Show) welcomes in the new Lord Mayor and celebrates the International Year of Astronomy 2009.
This coincides with the 'From Earth To The Universe' IYA2009 outdoor exhibition in the grounds of the Belfast City Hall and promises to be a great visual and entertaining cosmic spectacular.
When one of the highlights of the cityòÀÙs cultural calendar takes to the streets on Saturday 27 June òÀÓ the Belfast City Carnival will celebrate the 2009 International Year of Astronomy. Giant floats, puppets and hundreds of costumed performers will parade through the city centre, as participants and onlookers alike explore the stars and the universe.
The carnival officially introduces the newly elected Lord Mayor to the people of Belfast and Lord Mayor, Councillor Naomi Long, will be inviting the people of the city to òÀØLook UpòÀÙ at the stars.
òÀÜOver the past few years, the Belfast City Carnival has changed and evolved, and has become a cornerstone of our cultural calendar,òÀÝ comments Councillor Long.
òÀÜEvents such as the Belfast City Carnival are not only good for the people of the city, they are vital in helping our tourism industry in its continued growth, as they provide attractions which visitors want to see. This yearòÀÙs carnival will be bigger and better than ever before, and I urge everyone to come out and enjoy the thrill and spectacle of what promises to be a wonderful day for all the family.òÀÝ
BEAT, BelfastòÀÙs carnival company, is working with artists and community groups from all across the city to bring the streets alive with colour and sound on Carnival day. This year's pageant will be brighter and noisier than before òÀÓ a wondrous feast of colour and sound.
David Boyd, BEAT's Director:
òÀÜThis year, to mark 2009 as International Year of Astronomy, we have taken the space theme to òÀØLook UpòÀÙ and explore the stars. We are looking to the future too, as we will continue the theme into next year, looking more at the local space that we all share and the variety of life and energy found here.
òÀÜCarnival provides a fun, interactive way for communities to learn about other worlds, people and places, while channelling their creativity to entertain others. The appeal of the summer carnival has grown year upon year and now in partnership with a range of other organisations weòÀÙve sought to provide a full afternoon of entertainment that stimulates the senses.òÀÝ
Read the full story and see the carnival's timetable here.