THE show will go on – Cleethorpes Carnival has been saved after securing financial backing from one of Grimsby's biggest businesses.
Carnival organisers, Cleethorpes Events Limited, has teamed up with Young's Seafood Limited and, after months of discussion, announced the parade will return to the resort on Saturday, July 20.
The partnership marks a new dawn for the event, which has been a calendar highlight since 1976, but was dropped after North East Lincolnshire Council withdrew funding from the £30,000 event last year.
The return has thrilled Cleethorpes Events – a band of just five volunteers – who did everything to save the event, which brings in 25,000 people to the resort and pumps thousands into the local economy every year.
Leanor Pidgen said: "I am really pleased.
"They are not only putting up the finances, they are also putting forward people who will work it up and look at it long term.
"It's just great for the area, the resort, for the history of the locality and for the whole community. I also want to thank the Grimsby Telegraph for its support.
"It has been with us every step of the way."
Young's will not only help the event's bank account – with an undisclosed sum of money – but an internal Carnival Committee will lend their expertise in event organising to help plan for the event.
They will kick-off the carnival buzz in the new year by holding events to encourage people to take part in the two-mile parade from Sidney Sussex Park to Meridian Point.
Laura Mummery, executive assistant for Young's chief executive, Leendert den Hollander, said: "As one of the biggest local employers we feel it is important for the area's heritage to see this community event continue.
"We are going to be working with Cleethorpes Events to makes sure the event works this year and continues into the future.
"We have been involved as a business for a number of years so we know how it works and how important it is for Cleethorpes' people and businesses. We will build on all the hard work the committee has done already.
"This is a fantastic opportunity for everyone involved and it is very exciting to be a part of. I am a local girl, it has been part of my childhood."
Traders have long benefited from the parade as thousands of people flocked to the resort and treated themselves to seaside favourites like candyfloss, fish and chips and sweets.
But some raised concerns that the carnival was outdated and the floats, costumes and decorations needed to improve if it was to succeed.
