Sway Carnival: Procession ends 10-day carnival

ALIENS, butterflies and birds of paradise were among the colourful creations to parade through Sway during the village’s annual carnival procession.

The culmination of a 10-day programme of community fun, the carnival parade saw large numbers gathered both to take part and support the festivities with an array of colour costumes inspired by this year’s theme ‘Up, Up and Away’.

Setting off from the village hall, participants bopped, jived and shimmied their way along Station Road, before concluding their procession at the Jubilee Fields for a lively after-party.

The Dolphin Marching Band and the Ringwood Pipe Band joined the parade which feature entries from community organisations, pre-schools, sports clubs and charities.

A spokesperson for Sway Carnival Committee said: “So much hard work went into the costumes. So our thanks to all participants, donation collectors, spectators, carnival prince and princess, James and his classic car, all marshals and our bands Dolphin Marching Band and Ringwood Pipe Band. In fact our thanks to the village of Sway for making this such a special occasion.”

Prizes were awarded to the best group and individual entries with 1st Sway Brownies winning the small group category with their Intergalactic Aliens, Planets and Stars entry; second place went to St Luke’s Church who came as a flock of butterflies.

The best large group was awarded to Little Fliers with We Come in Peace; 2nd place went to Eco Sway with Recycled Birds of Paradise; 3rd were Sway Cubs with Intergalactic Jamboree; and 4th were Children of Sway with Rainbow.

The adult prizes went to Sway WI with SPLAT, Sway Tennis Club taking second with Balloon Flight.

Among other events during the 10-day festivities were scarecrow trails, a family arts afternoon, a fete and dog show, jazz evenings, treasure hunts, a talent night, beetle drive, garage sales and children’s discos.