Thousands Enjoy Market Harborough Carnival

Organisers of Market Harborough Carnival are hailing it a big success after bumper crowds turned out to enjoy it in sweltering sunshine.

Saturday’s event began with over 400 runners taking part in a 10k race, before 20 floats took to the streets for the traditional parade, thanks to Stephen Sanderson Transport, who provided the lorries.

People lined the streets to watch the parade pass, before crowds descended on Symington’s Recreation Ground, which was turned into the carnival showground for the day.

A dedicated team of volunteers organised the event and chairman Paul Milligan spoke to HFM:

Busy scenes during this year’s Harborough Carnival.
PIC: ANDY CARPENTER

The Carnival parade makes it’s way along the High Street.
PIC: ANDY CARPENTER

The carnival had a ‘green’ theme to it, to mark the launch of Harborough’s Great Big Green Week and included a ‘Green Street’ to showcase sustainability projects in the area.

Borough Alliance Football Club won the best float competition for a second year and Hannah Thompson, one of the club’s volunteers spoke to HFM:

VIDEO: Andy Carpenter

Harborough’s very own HFM enjoying the sun.
PIC: ANDY CARPENTER

HFM was proud to support the event and provided musical entertainment throughout the afternoon.

These people at the showground told us what they thought of the carnival this year:

Clipston Primary School Carnival Green Float. PICTURE: ANDREW CARPENTER

Dance Factory 63 Carnival Float. PICTURE: ANDREW CARPENTER

Meadowdale Primary School Carnival Float. PICTURE: ANDREW CARPENTER

Market Harborough Rugby Union Football Club Carnival Float. PICTURE: ANDREW CARPENTER

Centre, Harborough District chairman Barbara Johnson opens Green Street at this year’s Harborough Carnival. PICTURE: ANDREW CARPENTER

High flier during the Market Harborough Roundtable It’a A Knockout event. PICTURE: ANDREW CARPENTER

Lutterworth Harriers before the 10km fun run at Harborough Carnival. PICTURE: ANDREW CARPENTER

The 10km fun run sets off from Symingtons recreation ground. PICTURE: ANDREW CARPENTER

The Carnival Run saw Andrew Quigley of Leicester’s West Runners, winning the men’s race 33 mins 43 seconds, overcoming challenges from James Yarwood of Wrexham Athletics Club in Wales and Jack Chennell of Harborough Athletics Club.

Emily Clarke of Trent Park Running Club, won the women’s race in, 40 mins 27 sec, defeating second and third finishers,  Jo Hemmings of Lonely Goat RC and Kate Lister of Harborough Athletics Club.

Race Director, Paul Atkinson, was delighted with how it went:

From left, Jack Chennell 3rd, Rev Andrew Quigley 1st and James Yarwood 2nd.
PICTURE: ANDREW CARPENTER