The Equals IW Mardi Gras team is currently numbers 20 this year with female, male and children taking part. If you want to join the team please
Base Costume
All team members are now required to purchase the following and wear it on the day.
- Footwear: White trainers, or any type of white flat footwear
- Lower Body: White long shorts or white slim line trousers or white tracksuit bottoms or white jogging bottoms or white leggings
- Upper Body: White short or long sleeved T-shirt
Costume Design
Each team member in the parade will be holding something in their hand to wave in the air to attract the eyes of the crowd. We will be re-using the Komodo Dragon from last year as he has survived the rain but needs some tender care.
We are now looking for Lead Designers to work with Sandra
- Four people to lead on the main costume design
- Two people to lead on the design of a hand held item
- Two people to lead the Komodo Dragon re-design
One design from the last meeting has a style and colours representing woodlands, ponds and wildlife to match our Bouldnor Forest theme. The lead costume team designers may include a backpack in the costume.
Sandra has been updated on this design idea and she is starting to purchase costume materials. Anybody wishing to help create the costume is asked to contact
Meeting Schedule
Team members can park for free in Union Street, Ryde after 18:00 at the moment. The new overnight parking charges costing £1 may be in operation soon so please check at the time.
Wednesday 22nd May 2019 - Design Session
All lead designers and any other team members who want to help at this stage are asked to meet at WOW Centre, Newport at 18:15. The team is required to make one complete costume of the design to be worn by all members including the hand held feature. The costume will be presented to Gina of The New Carnival Company for final approval. We need to be in the position of only having to make small adjustments suggested by The New Carnival Company.
Wednesday 29th May 2019 - Design Session
All lead designers and any other team members who want to help at this stage are asked to meet at New Carnival Company Centre, Union Road Ryde at 18:15 to present the costume and hand held feature for final approval. At this meeting we will also agree the required adjustments to the Komodo Dragon. Materials already purchased need to be taken to this session, as the team will start to make elements of the costume and hand held feature. The session will be from 18:15 to 21:15.
Wednesday 5th June 2019 - Team Session
1800 - 21:00 Riverside Centre -Medina Room
Wednesday 19th June 2019 - Team Session
18:00 - 21:00 Riverside Centre -Medina Room
Each of the 20 team members is asked to attend at least one of the Team sessions. They will need to help make their individual costume and hand held feature under the direction of the lead designers. Adjustments to the Komodo Dragon will also take place at these sessions. The group will also learn the dance routine to be used on the day of the parade.
Lead Dance Instructor
We are also looking for someone to take on the role of Lead Dance Instructor to teach the group the dance routine and to lead the dancing on the day of the parade. If you would like to take up this offer please