Costumes at the ready..it's carnival time!

Leeds West Indian Carnival is Europe’s longest running authentic Caribbean carnival parade – the first to feature all three essential elements of Caribbean Carnival, costumes, music and a masquerade procession.

Started in 1967 as an antidote to the yearning for the Caribbean culture and heritage of a group of West Indian students in Leeds, 2017 marked the milestone 50th anniversary of Leeds West Indian Carnival.

Over Half a century later and still led by pioneer founding member Arthur France, Leeds West Indian Carnival celebrated it’s 52nd annual carnival on bank holiday Monday 2019. 

It was a day that involved the  perfect blend of jaw-dropping costumes, infectious tropical rhythms, mouth watering food, Caribbean Culture and entertainment for everyone.

It looks amazing, sounds great, tastes fabulous – it is a sensory delight. It is rapture, harmony and a feast for the senses all wrapped up in what is probably Yorkshire’s brightest day. It is definitely a showcase for the best of Caribbean culture and a celebration for all.

I was lucky enough to be hired as the official photographer for the troupe Ferm and Ready! An adults only troupe which, in my opinion, is always the most lively and they certainly know how to party! 

The day was filled with laughter, music and lots of dancing. We were lucky enough to be hit with a heatwave over the bank holiday, and although it sounds great! The heat was something else...you should certainly try dancing for 3 hours non-stop, in 31 degree heat with only rum punch available! Although the heat was helped by lots of water being thrown around to help everyone cool down! 

Did you make it to carnival this year? Let me know in the comments below what you love most about it! 

Snap you later,

Ajay