By KLTV Newsdesk –

Last weekend, the vibrant community of Deighton came together to celebrate the 23rd Annual Deighton Carnival on Saturday, June 29th, 2024.

Despite the less-than-ideal weather, the event was an overwhelming success, attracting well over 8,000 attendees from Kirklees, the surrounding areas, and even out of town.

The remarkable turnout was a testament to the enduring spirit and unity of the community, contributing to the festive atmosphere that defined this year’s carnival.

On Facebook, Carnival Coordinator Howard Belafonte gave a heartfelt thank you to everyone who participated and supported the carnival, including the funders, sponsors, and the numerous volunteers who made the event possible.

Highlights

The stage show at Deighton Carnival 2024 featured an exceptional lineup of performers, promising a day full of energetic and memorable performances:

KAHPUN: This internationally acclaimed reggae artist from Ghana headlined the show, marking a historic first as the initial Ghanaian artist to headline any UK carnival. Fresh from sold-out shows in Jamaica, Kahpun’s live performance was a highlight of the day.

FARDA FOX: The original carnival stage show compere and a polished host, Farda Fox brought his extensive experience and charisma to the stage, having toured the UK and abroad with top artists.

DJ SWAY – SWAYTEL: Known for his unique style as both a compere and performer, DJ Sway kept the stage show lively and engaging.

LIL JAM: Teen singing sensation Jamelia K Sadiq, who started her music career at age eight and has performed with renowned artists like Maxi Priest and Aswad, dazzled the audience with her talent.

TRIBAL SHOOTS: This energetic three-piece band returned by popular demand, delighting their growing fan base with an electrifying performance.

ISLE IN HARMONY: A favourite in the Deighton Carnival Street procession and a highly popular troupe on the UK carnival circuit, Isle in Harmony performed on stage after winning the Best Troupe award at the Deighton Carnival for the last four years.

PURE ELEGANCE: This vibrant and colourful troupe, well-loved by carnival audiences, brought their dynamic performances to the stage, adding to the festive spirit.

Local Acts and Community Talent

The carnival also showcased a variety of local talents, including:

SHANTE: A young female vocalist with a promising future.

SIR GRAFFTA: A rap artist and local entrepreneur.

SERENITY: A female singer who delivered an excellent performance at last year’s carnival.

EAZZY P: A talented lyricist with great potential.

REACH PERFORMING ARTS: A popular carnival mas band and street dancers.

WHITE ROSE GYMNASTIC SCHOOL: Role models for young aspiring gymnasts, returning to inspire with their performances.

EZE: A young spoken word/rap artist known for his phenomenal entertaining skills.

PHOENIX MAS BAND: A lively and vibrant Deighton-based carnival troupe.

DJ HUGHLIN: Nationally renowned No.1 DJ, who kept the stage show dynamic between acts and closed the event with a live set.

Carnival Activities

The traditional carnival activities were a significant draw, featuring the colourful and vibrant procession, stage shows, and various sports activities such as five-a-side football, basketball, netball, and table tennis.

The event catered to all musical tastes with a young people’s music arena and a separate arena for older music enthusiasts.

The carnival procession, known for its vibrancy and colour, introduced many new groups this year.

The opening ceremony commenced at 1 pm, leading the procession around the Ashbrow Ward and returning to the centre by approximately 2 pm, where field activities were already in full swing.

Adding to the excitement, Tucker’s Fun Fair returned with new rides suitable for all ages, ensuring there was something for everyone to enjoy.

Overall, the 23rd Annual Deighton Carnival was a resounding success, highlighting the strong sense of community and cultural richness that Deighton is known for.

The enthusiasm and participation of all those involved ensured a memorable day for all, setting a high bar for future celebrations.

Deighton Carnival has already announced it’s return for 2025, taking place once again at the Deighton Centre, on Saturday the 28th of June.