An article written by LaToyah McAllister-Jones, Executive Director of St Pauls Carnival

This month, Carnival reflects on the theme of “Reclaiming Narratives.”

This year’s Black History Month deeply resonates with the Carnival team; after all, what is Carnival if not the very manifestation of a people reclaiming their narrative?

What makes Carnival so special and sets it apart from the many wonderful festivals and events in our city, is its focus on reclaiming our stories, in our own voices. It is art, culture, and heritage with deep purpose, telling stories of resistance, rebellion, and survival across generations.

We celebrate the legacy of our Windrush parents and grandparents who brought these stories with them to the UK, ensuring future generations remain connected to them. Carnival gives us ownership of our narratives, no matter how challenging or contentious they may be at times. While the arrival of the Windrush generation is a joyous occasion for us, it also reminds us of the painful legacy of the transatlantic slave trade and the trauma our communities continue to endure. These stories are not solely African Caribbean history; they represent a shared history within the context of the UK. Though many remain ignorant or attempt to distort these narratives, it is crucial that we protect them.

That said, while Carnival is a city-wide event, its cultural heritage belongs to African Caribbean people. If we are not invested in preserving this heritage, our children and grandchildren stand to lose the most. We are the largest stakeholders in this, and if we don’t value our cultural legacy, we cannot expect anyone else to.

Carnival’s current campaign, It Takes a City, is a citywide initiative that speaks to citizens, communities, businesses, and corporations alike. The campaign aims to engage the whole city in a discussion about the event’s sustainability and legacy for generations to come. Everyone loves Carnival and if every one of the 120,000 people who came last year donated £2, it would go a long way in supporting this iconic event to thrive.

Everyone benefits from Carnival, with an estimated £9.2 million generated over the weekend—half of which is spent in the footprint of St Pauls: the gardens, local businesses, and food stalls. The other half spreads across the city, benefiting pubs, clubs, hotels, and restaurants. In this sense, everyone is a stakeholder in St Pauls Carnival.

If you want to learn more about our work or get involved with the It Takes a City campaign, join us at our 1st Annual Carnival Connect community meeting on 30th October at Trinity Centre. Visit stpaulscarnival.net for more information, or search ‘connect with carnival’ on eventbrite to book your place.

6 Myths about St Pauls Carnival

1. “The Carnival Team is only needed to deliver an event. Why is there a year-round team?“

Planning for Carnival, held in July, starts as early as October. Internal discussions with community partners help design fundraising strategies, and contractors are consulted to build a realistic understanding of costs. Additionally, St Pauls Carnival is not just an event organisation but an arts and heritage organisation. It delivers year-round programs, such as school initiatives, the St Pauls dance troupe, community mas camps, and work with Elders—all of which contribute to Carnival Day.

Our partners and sponsors want to engage with us beyond Carnival Day, adding value and encouraging them to continue their support. A year-round team is essential to manage relationships with schools, community groups, and funders, as well as deliver the organisation’s programs.

2. “Carnival is fully funded by the Arts Council and Bristol City Council.”

St Pauls Carnival is a National Portfolio Organization funded by the Arts Council, receiving approximately £657,000 over three years, from 2023-2025. However, with Carnival costing over £520,000 annually, we must raise additional funds to cover half of this expense. As a small community organisation, this is a significant challenge. We also receive a £57,000 grant from Bristol City Council over four years and in-kind support, such as office time and event management assistance.

3. “The Carnival Committee is paid.”

There is no “Carnival Committee.” St Pauls Carnival is a Community Interest Company with a voluntary Board of Directors. None of the board members are paid.

4. “We can organise Carnival ourselves without a formal organisation.”

While the community can certainly celebrate Carnival independently, there are important considerations. Without a formal organisation, there is no agreed standard for health and safety, including food hygiene and electrical testing. The organisation ensures the involvement of Elders, delivers education programs, and secures funding that individuals cannot. It also manages the risks of hosting such a large-scale event, enabling Bristol City Council to approve the necessary licences.

5. “It doesn’t feel the same as it did back in the day.”

Times have changed, and regulations around events have increased significantly over the past decades. New restrictions concerning alcohol, crowd safety, and terrorism add expense and certain limitations. Though Carnival remains a free community event, it has grown far beyond its village fete origins to attract 120,000 people. The health and safety of our communities and visitors is a priority, as it is with any large event.

6. “We don’t see ourselves reflected in Carnival’s audience.”

As an organisation, we focus on ensuring that the talent and performances are predominantly homegrown and African Caribbean. We also prioritise working with local contractors under our “Bristol First” policy. While we can control who we work with, we do not control who attends. Carnival’s uniqueness lies in being a free event that welcomes everyone. Its origins were rooted in both African Caribbean celebration and social cohesion. If we want greater representation, we need to show up.