Ringwood Carnival – ‘Festival of Fun Supporting the Local Community’
The Ringwood Carnival Society is a registered charity, established to organise and coordinate an annual Carnival for the town of Ringwood. Through this ‘festival of fun’, the society’s aim is to raise and donate funds to local charities, organisations and good causes. These funds are awarded after each Carnival. To view the donations made by the Ringwood Carnival Society in 2019 please click here.
History of the Carnival
Ringwood saw its very first Carnival in 1928! It was originally set up to fund the purchase of a certain field from local man Mr. Carver, as well as to raise monies for the Royal Victoria & West Hants Hospital. Carnivals followed in 1931 and 1934, when the Coldstream Guards marched through the town in full dress uniform.
The first Carnival after the war was in 1950 and has continued every year since. Today the Carnival is Ringwood’s largest and most important annual community event.
Celebrating the end of Summer!
The Carnival always takes place on the 3rd Saturday in September. It consists of two processions, an afternoon childrens’ procession and an evening illuminated parade. Both parades feature wonderful community floats designed and built by local groups, clubs, schools, organisations, businesses as well as groups of families and friends. Also included within these parades are fantastic marching bands, steam traction engines, dance groups and feature vehicles. Both processions are headed by the wonderful Carnival Queen, led by the Sampsons Percheron Horses!
As well as the processions, there are street entertainers, music bands, live entertainment, arts and crafts stalls on The Village Green, fireworks and the huge Adlam’s Fun Fare that all also take place on the day.
The Ringwood Carnival Committee ensures the Carnival runs smoothly every year and consists of only a small group of local people. These volunteers give a huge amount of time free of charge – all for the love of their town! If you want to get involved, join this fantastic team or just help out, please click here.
Supporting the local community
The Carnival relies on Sponsorship to make this much loved event happen. Local businesses kindly donate funds, keeping the tradition alive. Many businesses and organisations donate as sponsors year after year to ensure this special event takes place. If it weren’t for these organisations the Carnival could not take place. For more information on how to sponsor, please click here.
Join in the fun and support your town – visit Ringwood from 12pm on Saturday 21st September 2024.
