Jodie Ferguson discovers why we should welcome back Eastbourne's Sunshine Carnival with a royal wave. 

People of all ages are being invited to walk, dance, march and skate along the coast for the Sunshine Festival in June. The event is returning for its fifth year after a 15-year absence; and promises to be bigger and better than ever.

Last year saw more than 1,500 walkers take part representing 20 charities and voluntary organisations, with more than 25,000 spectators who came to cheer the 50+ floats. This accessible event is popular with all ages and helps raise funds for fantastic causes.

Newly appointed carnival president, Stephen Lloyd, is overjoyed at how the carnival has become such a leading event in Eastbourne, having helped bring it back in 2011. 

"I am very passionate about the carnival and it is something very important to me" he admits. I've been around long enough to know that there is a real historical memory within Eastbourne for what has been our carnival. It plays an important role as part of the jigsaw which pulls together the town and helps to lift the sense of community spirits within Eastbourne." 

For 2016, Eastbourne's Sunshine Carnival are pleased to introduce a whole host of fun-filled activities. 

"This year is going to be bigger and better than ever before" enthuses Stephen. From noon, there will be a series of family activities at Princess Park, including a bouncy castle, big screen, rides, face painting and hours of fun and entertainment."

It is hard to believe that this time six years ago, the chances of holding a carnival event in Eastbourne were slim. 

"When I, as newly elected MP, gathered a group of brilliant volunteers together, we made it our aim to bring back the carnival" he recalls. Back then, there was no money in the carnival fund so we needed to re-build it. Last year, we raised more than £4,000 and we couldn’t have achieved it without a key number of individuals and groups including Eastbourne Arndale Centre owners Legal & General."

Now, all money raised is collected in buckets by the carnival volunteers, then the total amount is shared. 50 per cent goes toward next year's carnival, and the remaining 50 per cent goes to all the charities who take part. This means not only are supporters investing in future carnivals, but it also benefits the people and charities within the local community. 

"This family-friendly event offers the perfect excuse to have fun and raise funds for Eastbourne's future" Stephen explains. It's great to see such creative talent from the children, who play such a vital role in making posters, costumes and floats. The children really are today's future and it's fantastic to see them rebooting the skills needed to make the carnival happen." 

The procession will leave Western Lawns at 4pm and head down to Princess Park, where the fun and concessions will be held all afternoon. Admission is free and the theme this year is Queen Elizabeth's 90th birthday. To find out more, visit www.eastbournecarnival.co.uk