Leeds West Indian Carnival parade cancelled for online event

The 2021 carnival parade will only be an online event, said organisers

The main Leeds West Indian Carnival parade in August has been cancelled for the second year running in a "difficult decision".

The carnival, established in 1967, also missed its showpiece event in 2020 due to the coronavirus pandemic.

"Covid-19 continues to affect the carnival community, in particular those from Black and Asian backgrounds", organisers said.

A virtual carnival day will now take place on Monday 30 August.

Vice-chair of Leeds West Indian Carnival Bernadette Albert said: "It was a difficult decision for the carnival committee to make.

"We recognise carnival doesn't lend itself to social distancing by its nature and it is really difficult to contain it, it flows out from Potternewton Park into the community.

"We understand what carnival means to the city of Leeds - one of the most historical, cultural and social events in the city."

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The 2019 Leeds carnival involved about 2,000 dancers

Some smaller ticketed events at Leeds Carnival are to go ahead this year

Some events that can held safely will go ahead over the August bank holiday weekend including the King and Queen Show and J'ouvert Morning.

Ms Albert said: "It's what we have to do at this time but carnival is here to stay."

The Leeds West Indian Carnival, a charity, was established 54 years ago as a remedy for homesickness for those who migrated from the Caribbean and as a celebration of emancipation from slavery.

About 1,000 people attended the 1967 event, while some 150,000 people were at the 2019 parade