A date for your diary. Turn to the 27th of June and write in ‘Cranleigh Lions Carnival’ so that you’ll remember to join everyone on the common, alongside the High Street, for a great family fun day out, and better yet, it’s free!
On the day there will be a huge list of things to enjoy, including over 100 stalls, offering delicious food, ice creams and drinks, plus ones selling plants and gifts for you to browse. There will be games for all to play, such as the famous coconut shy and crockery smash, which are always hugely popular while being quaintly old-fashioned too.
Further entertainment will be offered in a busy schedule of performers in the main arena, with acts to please everyone from the kiddies to grandparents, making for a proper family day out. Again, on the theme of being old-fashioned, a Punch and Judy performer will be there to fascinate those wide-eyed youngsters who perhaps have never seen a live performance before.
A visiting petting farm will have goats, sheep, lamas and chickens so close that you can stroke them and hear them talk, something few kids get to experience today and a wonderful part of a country day out.
For many, the highlight of the day is the parade along the high street, where groups of people from all across our community come together to celebrate and enjoy each other’s company. Scouts, guides, many of the schools and sports clubs etc parade their uniforms, costumes, flags and banners, supported by Samba bands that give it a real festival feeling as they go. Parents and grandparents are often seen with a tear in their eye as a little one of the next generation passes by smiling and waving.
Another big feature of the event will be the Morris Dancing. Groups will dance at various locations around the village during the morning; they will form a colourful and entertaining addition to the Parade and then come together in the Carnival Arena during the afternoon to celebrate the joy of Morris Dancing.
We’re (almost) always blessed with great weather, so come on, stroll into the village and be part of our tradition and heritage, while enjoying some good old-fashioned English village life. Full details of the event can be found at www.cranleighlions.org/carnival
