Hornsea Carnival opens after fundraising success

Hornsea Carnival organisers are hoping this year's event will be a huge success after the 2023 event was hit by bad weather

A popular event at risk of cancellation is taking place after community fundraising efforts to save it.

Organisers behind Hornsea Carnival, among the region's biggest free events of its kind, needed to plug an £11,000 funding gap for it to go ahead.

Thanks to the efforts of businesses, community groups and "generous" individuals in the town, the festival will go ahead from Friday 19 to Sunday 21 July.

Iain Poole, event organiser, thanked everyone who helped to fund the event and said "people in the area don't want to see the event fail".

It has been made possible by local businesses including The Green Owl pub, which held an event and raised £2,000, and the Hornsea Lions, which has underwritten the festival.

Not only this, but local people have made personal donations after a fundraising appeal was launched, with Mr Poole saying some donations had "totalled £1,000".

In April, Mr Poole made a plea for funding after increased costs of running the event put it at risk.

In 2023, the event made a £6,000 loss due to the bad weather, as turnout was low and they did not make as much money from donations on the day.

Discussing his optimism about the event, Mr Poole said: "The event’s flowing, everything’s going to be brilliant. The sun is shining, I couldn’t ask for more."

This year, the event has become more streamlined to save costs, including running one marquee instead of several, and moving some entertainment to The Floral Hall.

Fairground and fireworks

This year's event will see a programme of entertainment taking place across three days at different venues in the town.

On Friday, a fairground, craft tent and food and drink stalls will be open from 4pm, and a fireworks display will take place around 9.45pm.

On Saturday, a parade will take place of floats through the town, as well as performances from circus acts, and family fun in the park. In the evening, bands will play the Floral Hall.

The festival will finish on Sunday with entertainment including a tug of war, birds of prey and a fun run.

Attendees are being urged to make a donation at the cash buckets at the event, or tap their cards at donation points.

Mr Poole said: "We can only run this event from what we get in the buckets, from the support of the community.”