Around Ealing Spring 2014 | Page 25

Ealing Summer Festivals Carnival colours The summer starts with a double dose of fun and festival flavour with Greenford and Acton carnivals – including a few very familiar faces. G reenford Carnival will be taking place in Ravenor Park on Saturday, 28 June; followed by Acton Carnival in Acton Park on Saturday, 5 July. There will be lots of local talent on display at Greenford Carnival, and you can expect to see some familiar acts on stage entertaining the crowds with their singing and dancing. The kids will be kept busy with lots of sports, dance and arts and crafts fun in the Families Area. The entertainment will be surrounded by community stalls selling handmade and home grown produce as well as amazing food and drink. It should be a great day out for the whole family. Acton Carnival will be celebrating 12 years of local pride and heritage with a carnival procession involving more than 500 people. With handmade costumes, live percussion music and lots of fun and laughter, the procession leaves Woodlands Park at 12noon and Greenford carnival last proceeds to Acton Park via Crown Street, the High Street and into Acton Park. This year’s theme is the ‘Spirit of Acton’. OMAR IN ACTON Giving this year’s carnival a touch of old school charm will be Omar. Loved by generations for his timeless hit There’s Nothing Like This, the gentleman of soul will be taking to the stage at Acton Carnival with some of his well-known hits, mixed in with some more recent soul tunes from his 20-year career. “I’ve worked with some amazing artists and producers like Stevie Wonder, Erykah Badu and Common,” Omar told Around Ealing. “But getting back to the grass-roots of London and feeling the love from fans that have been with me over the last two decades has a year rush of its own. I always feel the love when I’m in Acton. “I’m really looking forward to appearing at Acton Carnival again. It’s a brilliant way to get the summer started. I am really looking forward to its family atmosphere, the food and the massive love that I get from the community. It’s a great pre-cursor for the Notting Hill Carnival, with a lovely, personal, community touch.” For a full line-up of this year’s performers visit www.ealingsummer.com View photo galleries of the festivals after they happen. Register to receive emails from Around Ealing Extra at www.ealing.gov.uk/register around ealing Summer 2014 25