July is a special month for me, not only because it’s when I celebrate my birthday and those of my two daughters, but because it is when some of my favourite events take place.

As someone who was born and brought up in Gloucester, the Carnival has always been part of my life. I remember when it started from The Lannett and crowds several people deep lined the streets along Parkend Road. Numerous floats took part, with Debenhams and the Co-op department stores battling it out year after year.

After reaching its peak, the procession seemed to decline year on year as businesses concentrated on the day job rather than taking part. Finding a route that both takes in the city centre and allows large lorries to manoeuvre safely has been difficult.

But in recent years, the event has started to flourish again with involvement from arts groups through the Carnival Arts Partnership and funding from the Arts Council. Floats still take part, but the growth has been in walking entries, bringing colour and music to the proceedings.

Encouraging schools to take part before the summer holidays

This year the carnival takes place slightly earlier on Saturday 13th July in the hope of encouraging more schools to take part before they break for the summer holidays. This also means the Bob Wilson’s Funfair will arrive sooner and the firework finale to the festival will take place on 27th July. The procession leaves the Westgate Car Park at 3.30pm. This year’s theme is ’Myths and Legends’. To take part contact info@marketinggloucester.co.uk or phone 01452 207020.

I’m also pleased that the Gloucester Quays Food Festival makes a return this year. In 2018, works were taking place to Orchard Square (outside the Waterways Museum), taking out a huge chunk of the festival site. It makes its return this year from 26th-28th July and will include the visit of celebrity chefs such as ‘the other Phil Vickery’ (not the former rugby player!). It’s also Gloucester’s turn to host the historic Three Choirs Festival, which opens at the end of the month, so there’s plenty going on.

Have a great summer and do support as many events in Gloucester as you can.