Thousands of people were on the streets of Dalton-in-Furness despite the rain for the town’s annual carnival in 1997. A light drizzle began to fall shortly before the start of the parade, although it did not dampen the spirits of the brightly-coloured dancers trooping through the streets. That year’s carnival queen, Abigail Groves, 15, was accompanied by ladies-in-waiting Hannah Hall and Stacey Birkett, both 14. The parade started on Prince Street and wound its way through the town, which was lined with crowds clutching umbrellas, and ended up at the Dalton Football Club field. PLAYING: From left, Ashley Metcalf, Aimee Coulson and Laura Atkinson of the Imperial School of Dancing at Dalton Carnival in 1997
Each year crowds gather to watch as floats and people in costumes parade through Dalton. However, organisers of Dalton Carnival said they had reluctantly decided to cancel the event this year. In a statement, they said dance schools would be unable to practice in the run-up to carnival day and that the carnival team could not commit to arranging the royal family - which traditionally plays a big part in the event and is made up of members of the public. A carnival committee spokesman said: We don’t want to make out any payment towards the running of the carnival when there is a lot of uncertainty with what is going to happen with the pandemic and Covid.
An estimated 90 floats, bands, teams of dancers and ‘royalty’ were in attendance that year. Their yearly input was one of the reasons the popular parade has been a constant success. Those involved aimed to raise £2000 for Dalton charities and organisations. A first-time float belonged to the Dalton bypass workers. The parade included seven groups of musicians, including the popular Askam Silver Band. The Ulverston Town Band led the Dalton Carnival Queen Joanna Roberts with her attendants Sarah Lippiatt and Sherry Hatton. The Sea Cadets band were there to lead the retiring Queen Lisa Salisbury and her attendances Rachel Rigg and Emma Smeaton.