TWO days of calypso fun will descend on Derby as the annual Caribbean Carnival comes to the city.
Troupes of dancers from London, Luton, Leeds and Nottingham will join Derby's Mandela troupe and the Carnival Association's own dancers for a parade on Saturday.
The procession leaves Pear Tree School at about 1pm, meanders through the city centre, arriving at about 3pm in the Market Place, where it culminates in a costume exhibition and stage show until 7pm.
On Sunday, a stage show with local, national and international headline artists takes place at Osmaston Park from 1pm until 9pm
A fun fair, catering stalls selling Caribbean and European foods as well as arts and crafts stalls are also part of the entertainment.
The carnival is planned and organised by the Derby West Indian Community Association.
George Mighty MBE, chairman and co-founder of the association, said: "We are expecting a really good crowd for both days with more than 460 dancers taking part in the parade along with floats and sound systems.
"It is great to see so many other troupes coming from around the country to take part."
The event started out as a small festival in 1975 and was held at Moorways Sports Centre. It was not until 1986 when the group began to put more of an emphasis on the carnival.
From there the event became a much bigger venture, attracting much more interest around the East Midlands as well as nationally.
The organisers are hoping the good weather will continue.
George said: "We are all keeping our fingers crossed that it isn't wet.
"It won't stop the parade on Saturday but it could affect the event at Osmaston Park on Sunday.
"But I don't think the ground will be too bad given it is so hot at the moment."
To get to the Sunday event at Osmaston Park, take the 40 or 41 bus from the Derby Bus Station. For more information, visit www.dwica.co.uk
