THE blazing sun added an extra glow to one of the borough’s most diverse and popular events of the year as more than 10,000 people flocked to Acton Carnival.
With 800 people taking part in the parade and many new features, the 11th carnival really showed off this year's theme, Metamorphosis, which reflected the changing face of Acton.
More than 20 organisations took part, including old favourites like Derwent Water Choir, Acton Music Collective, Zywiec Polish Dancers,YSB Arts Youth Group, Triniboi Joocie, Confusion and Mike Anthony, as well as new groups like Impact Theatre and the London College of Music.
Starting at noon, the carnival kicked off with a stunning procession of floats from Woodlands Park, travelling down the High Street to the festival site in Acton Park.
Hosted by Acton Community Forum and Ealing Council, the carnival featured the main stage acts, a families area and the Old Skool tent, as well as flavours from around the world with a range of global foods.
Rachel Pepper, project manager of Acton Community Forum, said: "It was such a wonderful day, especially with such fantastic weather. I was really aware of it being a really mixed event; all ages and backgrounds as well as lots of families. People did embrace the theme in different ways, with the curators of the current exhibition at the W3 gallery leading the procession with beautiful costumes and masks.
"It was the highest number we had ever had in a procession with around 10,000 visitors throughout the day. We took over the high street. There was a great vibe and good energy. Everything came together beautifully."
The Mas Transformation exhibition of experiential work, taking Mas (derived from Masquerade) out of its usual context of carnival, will run at the W3 gallery 185, High Street, Acton until the end of July.
