Giant puppets, animal costumes and live music are coming to Hounslow for a two-day carnival this July - and you could help make it happen.
A colourful parade, including creations from the artists behind Notting Hill Carnival, will roll into Hounslow town centre for the Night of Festivals celebration on July 11 and 12.
The parade will be part of a weekend of free family fun, with spectacular sights and activities stretching along Hounslow High Street from the Treaty Centre to Bell Square.
Organisers Artreach, working with the charities Inspire Hounslow and Cultural Community Solutions, have already enlisted 100 local volunteers and children to join the costumed section of the parade, but there's still time to sign up to take part.
The giant puppets and costumes, from pigs and frogs to a 5m-high fluorescent skeleton, are being provided by Mandinga Arts, whose creations have graced the world's best carnivals, including Notting Hill.
The highlight of the Hounslow parade will be an enormous King John puppet, complete with a giant scroll and seal, to celebrate the 800th anniversary of the Magna Carta, widely considered to be the foundation stone of British democracy.
Rhythms of the City, described as the UK's premier samba percussion squad, will provide an infectious soundtrack to the carnival, as well as adding to the spectacle with their elaborate costumes.
David Hill, the festival's artistic director, said: "We're thrilled to present a wide range of high quality, culturally diverse arts activity that will engage families and all ages.
"All the work connects to our key theme, which is celebrating freedom and democracy through artistic innovation."
For information about getting involved in the carnival, visit http://www.nightoffestivals.com/#!participation-/c4cv or email eleni@artreach.biz.
For more details about the carnival itself, visit www.nightoffestivals.com.
