Thousands flock to Stourbridge Carnival (From Stourbridge News)

Thousands flock to Stourbridge Carnival

12:50pm Monday 5th July 2010 in News

THOUSANDS of people flooded the town for this year’s all-singing all-dancing Stourbridge Carnival.

The traditional summer fun day, held in the town centre on Sunday July 4, featured a song and dance theme and proved a show-stopping say out for all the family.

Now in its 23rd year, the event featured a bumper crop of attractions and entertainment including a host of stalls, fun fair rides, dog show, vintage vehicles, birds of prey, displays and demonstrations, performances by Stourbridge Operatic Society, live bands.

There were also jazz bands and singers roving the town throughout the day.

Organiser David Harcourt said: “It was a good event; the weather was kind to us and there were a lot of people around. Entries in the parade made a good effort and the stallholders had a reasonable day, so we’re very grateful to the community for supporting us.”

The event kicked off at 10.30am with the News Group sponsored Carnival Princess competition - which attracted a record 42 entries; almost double the number that entered the previous year.

Pretty Brook Primary School pupil Faith Bowater, aged seven, walked away with the crown - plus £50 cash and a photographic shoot.

While bubbly Jasmine Ruffle, aged six, a pupil at St James’s Primary in Wollaston, won the rosebud title in the competition judged by Stourbridge MP Margot James and Stourbridge News chief reporter Bev Holder.

Carnival organiser David Harcourt said: “It was a great way to start the carnival; the judges found it very difficult to pick the winner - but it was a brilliant event. All the girls were winners in the own right and they all went away with goody bags.”

The princess contest was followed by a new fancy dress competition and the traditional parade, and the carnival was then officially opened by Stourbridge MP Margot James.

The Conservative MP also handed out prizes to the best parade entries.

Thorns Starlets won the education category; Hanbury Hill Baptist Church won the churches category; and Fantasy Dance Group won the voluntary group section and were voted overall parade winners.