Mardi Gras spirit is coming to Portsmouth as plans for a summer parade as part of Ports Fest are unveiled

The city’s annual celebration of arts and culture, which has the theme ‘Imagine, Ignite’ for 2023, has received funding from Arts Council England to support the project for young people to create and present a Mardi Gras-style parade as part of this year’s festivities.

Ports Fest, now in its 23rd year, will be working with schools and youth organisations within Portsmouth to involve as many youngsters as possible in the creative process and organisers hope to make it a regular event.

Ports Fest director Erica Frost said: ‘This project has young people at the very heart of it coming together as one to showcase their creativity in such a positive way. The journey will be as important as the end result and I am happy that Arts Council England has recognised the importance of this work and we are grateful for their support.’

SEE ALSO: The Road to Victorious competition will provide a great opportunity for one Portsmouth-area band

Organisers are putting the project together with the New Carnival Company from the Isle of Wight. NCC director Hannah Ray said: ‘New Carnival are really excited to be working with Ports Fest this year to help to create a new Portsmouth Mardi Gras Carnival parade. We have years of experience in carnival and love to share our skills working within local communities. We upskill and equip people to be able to put on high quality, innovative, carnival events with positive themes. We are looking forward to showcasing young people’s creative expression through the Ports Fest Mardi Gras parade.’

Cllr Steve Pitt, in charge of cultural matters for Portsmouth City Council, said: ‘Ports Fest regularly brings fresh experiences to our city to excite and engage all our communities. Their Mardi Gras presents Ignite project in collaboration with respected Isle of Wight-based New Carnival Company, will be a highlight-for 2023 and I welcome this vote of confidence in the Ports Fest team from Arts Council England.’

It will take place in the south of the city on June 29.

More details will be announced when the festival’s full programme is released in April. Ports Fest 2023 will run from Wednesday, June 28 to Sunday July 2.

Mardi Gras typically takes place in February or March and marks the last chance for excess ahead of Lent.