It was carnival time and this year’s Caribbean Carnival did not disappoint.

Thousands were drawn to the Forest Recreation Ground for the weekend long celebration despite the wet weather on Saturday but glorious sunshine on Sunday.

Highlights of the 2008 Carnival included the spectacular, traffic stopping Carnival Parade which saw troupes and floats from Derby, Leicester, Preston, Bradford, Luton, Leeds and Nottingham parading through the city centre to the Forest Recreation Ground.   

Carnival goers were also entertained with performances from local and international acts.  Local live stage acts included solo singer Janine Nicole Jacques, Ossie Gad the former lead singer with The Naturalites, Bobby Melody, the poetry performer LRG (Lyrics Rhymes & Grime) and Percy Dread who was backed by The Royal Roots Band.    

As the sun was setting over the Forest and the temperature was dropping, Jamaican born lyrical entertainer Bongo Chilli warmed the crowd with lyrics influenced by Jamaica’s dancehall style music before the Carnival’s headline performer Mickey Spice came on stage and thrilled the crowd that had gathered around the main stage with a vibrant mix of his hit songs that are still receiving enthusiastic airplay in Jamaica, America and Europe.

Information about the 2009 Caribbean Carnival will be published in June 2009