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 cityтАЩs cultural calendar takes to the streets on Saturday 27 June тАУ 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 тАШLook UpтАЩ at the stars.
тАЬOver the past few years, the Belfast City Carnival has changed and evolved, and has become a cornerstone of our cultural calendar,тАЭ comments Councillor Long.
тАЬEvents 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 yearтАЩs 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.тАЭ
BEAT, BelfastтАЩs 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 тАУ a wondrous feast of colour and sound.
David Boyd, BEAT's Director:
тАЬThis year, to mark 2009 as International Year of Astronomy, we have taken the space theme to тАШLook UpтАЩ 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.
тАЬCarnival 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 weтАЩve sought to provide a full afternoon of entertainment that stimulates the senses.тАЭ
Read the full story and see the carnival's timetable here.