Carnival Links Options

[alan]

We have today received the following from Kidder who was unable to post himself:-

“I’m not sure that this qualifies as “another form”, but it’s one that I thought others might like to know about. It’s particularly valuable in two ways: bringing twinning to public attention, and involving people across the whole age spectrum.

The concept is that of a “twinning” between our Carnival Queen and our twin town’s equivalent – in their case the Crocus Blossom Queen. Each Queen takes part in the other’s inaugural event, and this of itself generates good media and public interest – a ride in an open carriage at the head of a parade is about as public as you could wish for!

The event (our Carnival, their Crocus Festival) also provides opportunities for the respective Associations to take part in parades, mount publicity stands, and meet many passers-by and other participants.

Our Association works closely with the Carnival Committee – four of our leading members were invited to choose this year’s Carnival Queen, and our two committees had a very convivial dinner and a most enjoyable barbecue, each attended by both of the Queens and by their escorts (the father of one, the mother of the other!).

Past experience (over five years) shows that, after their year of office, the Queens continue to take such interest in the twinning as their circumstances permit, and this adds to the vitality of the twinning link. We have also found that the public exposure has aided understanding of and support for the process, and has increased knowledge about the twin town.

I should be interested both to know if others have taken this particular form of twinning on board, and also to read other people’s views.”



Ray