A reborn carnival has been given a major boost by a home improvements company.
For years Llanfair PG Carnival was a highpoint of Anglesey’s summer calendar but, due mainly to the heavy burden of organisation, it died out in 1989.
In 2012 it was revived and staged again for the first time in 23 years thanks to the efforts of a dedicated band of volunteers led by young local mum Claire Evans who had been the 1989 rosebud.
The revived carnival will be held for the third year on Saturday June 21 and the organisers reckons it’s going to be bigger and better than ever.
Providing vital sponsorship will be Gaerwen-based Peninsula Home Improvements whose Director Lorraine Grayson says the company is delighted to help with such a worthwhile community event.
Lorraine said: “We’ve agreed a sponsorship package for the carnival and as part of that we’ll be providing all the trophies for the carnival queen and fancy dress competitions which are going to be a major highlight of the big day.
“This is right on our doorstep and, as a company, we are keen to support worthwhile community activities.
“It’s great to see the carnival enjoying continued success since it was revived a few years ago and it’s very good for LlanfairPG.”
This year’s carnival kicks off with a grand parade starting from outside the Co-op supermarket in LlanfairPG at 11am which will wind its way through the village to the Gors playing fields arriving about noon.
And, according to organising team member Einir Mowll, lots of hard work has gone into making it a really spectacular affair which should bring large crowds of revellers flocking from right across the island and even the opposite side of the Menai Straits.
She said: “Lots of organisation has gone into this year’s carnival, which should literally have all the fun of the fair because we’re having a full fairground on the field. There will also be lots of stalls and sideshows.
“One of the highlights of the day will be a demonstration from the Helen Barton Dance Academy, which runs classes at LlanfairPG.
“Myself and the other seven members of the organising committee are still putting the finishing touches to the full programme of entertainment but we are planning to have a disco for the children in the evening, weather permitting.
“Providing a running commentary on the events throughout the afternoon will be the popular radio presenter Kev Bach.
“Another very important part of the day will be the carnival queens’ competition.
“Our carnival has its own queen, princess and rosebud. Following tradition, they will play host to a competition for their opposite numbers from the surrounding towns and villages, which should see up to 30 girls taking part.
“Apart from the sponsorship package from Peninsula, the company is also providing all the trophies for this competition and the fancy dress contest which will be held during the afternoon.
“It’s great to be getting such great support for our carnival from a local company like Peninsula and helps us a lot.”
Einir added: “Although putting everything together is quite a lot of work for just a few people it’s marvellous to see the carnival running again after an absence of over 20 years and it should be bigger and better than ever this year.
“I think the organisation got a bit too much back in 1989 but since it was revived a couple of years ago it’s gradually been getting more popular and we’re expecting people to come and enjoy the fun from all over Anglesey and even across the other side of the Menai Straits.”
