A massive drive has begun to save Huddersfield Carnival.
The iconic event has lost its funding after Kirklees Council scrapped a £78,000 grant for the event.
And that means there are bound to be doubts the huge event can go ahead as planned on July 8 and 9.
Potential sponsors are now being asked to come forward to help plug the huge funding gap so that at least some of the historic carnival, which should this year celebrate its 32nd event, can go ahead.
Tens of thousands of people come from across the UK to the town to enjoy the parade, dancing and music, which some years attracted upwards of 40,000 people.
Kirklees Council announced in 2014 that it could no longer afford to continue supporting the festival, due to budget cuts and last year gave its last-ever grant of a reduced £50,000.
A sponsorship event where potential donors can discuss different support packages will go ahead on March 10 at 6pm at the Central Lodge Hotel on Beast Market.
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Natalie Pinnock-Hamilton, a trustee of Huddersfield African Caribbean Cultural Trust, which organises the event, said: “We have no funding at all this year so we need sympathetic people to come to the event.
“We haven’t made any decisions as to what will go ahead yet, it will depend on what money we raise.
“A conservative estimate suggests that over 30,000 people attend the Huddersfield Carnival each year.
“It therefore represents a significant event in the town’s cultural calendar and provides a substantial boost to the local economy.”
A big carnival party took place after the parade in Greenhead Park until 2014 due to the cut.
WATCH Huddersfield Carnival 2014 in Huddersfield below
But last year the team made the most of reduced funds and transferred after-parade celebrations to the Hudawi Centre on Great Northern Street.
Talking about what funding will provide, Natalie, said: “Money is needed to fund mainstays such as Friday Night Glow Parade, Carnival Parade and workshops leading up to carnival weekend.
“We also need to pay for things like costume materials, design and decorating supplies, parade vehicle hire costs, staging and sound and event staff.”
If unable to attend the event, contact Natalie via email at natalie_mbe@hotmail.com or phone on 07786 651831.
