Sunday May 1st, From Dawn To Noon Fort Victoria and Yarmouth Town Square

Sunday May 1st sees the return of the annual free May Day Jouvay event at Fort Victoria and Yarmouth Town Square.

May Day Jouvay celebrates English Folk traditions – Morris Dancing at Dawn, Maypoles and May Queens but sets them within the context of a modern multicultural society. Morris Dancing fused with Samba or Folk Songs with Caribbean Calypso.

The event starts 05.33 or Dawn on May Day at Fort Victoria with a specially choreographed show weaving many different cultural styles into a narrated performance. Hopefully there will be a classic Isle of Wight sunrise to warm the hearts and minds of entertainers and audience alike.

Men of Wight join the celebration at 06.30 when there will be a number of other cameos including Mas Fusion Carnival dancers and the Youth Music Power Play Steelbeats, steelband. Café Verdi will be selling early morning breakfasts too.

Local schools and community groups have been busy creating carnival costumes themed on ‘wild wings’ and the May Day parade will leave the Fort Victorian County Park at 09.30 destined for Yarmouth Town Square where there will be more Morris Dancing, a Maypole display and an open air barn dance featuring The Caulkheads.

At Midday the celebrations continue at the Mayfest site on Yarmouth Green.

Programme

At Fort Victoria, Yarmouth
5.30am: Dawn Chorus performances by FaT Samba, Guith Carnival Morris and MAS Fusion Carnival Club
6.30am: Men of Wight Morris
7am to 8am: Folk Singalong in the café
7.30am: Mas Fusion Carnival Club
8am: Youth Music Power Play Steelbeats (Steel Pan)
8.20am: FaT Samba
8.40am: Guith Carnival Morris
9am: Youth Music Power Play Steelbeats (Steel Pan)
9.30am: May Day Parade leaves from Fort Victoria to Yarmouth Pier Square

At Yarmouth Pier Square
10am: Men of Wight Morris
10.30am: Maypole Dancing with Morris Mynahs
10.45am to noon: Morris Dancing displays (Wight Belles, Oyster Girls and friends) and Community Barn Dancing for all to enjoy, accompanied by The Caulkheads

At Yarmouth Green, MayFest from noon

NB: All timings are approximate

Early breakfast available from 6.30am @ Café Verdi

For more information, call The Carnival Learning Centre on 01983 817288