The City of Norwich will be hosting Mardi Gras this September.

This September sees the launch of the much awaited Mardi Gras event in the city of Norwich. The event promises to be fun, colourful, exciting and won’t look out of place with the famous Mardi Gras events held in Rio di Janeiro, Sydney and New Orleans.

Mardi Gras Norwich is guaranteed to put the city firmly on the Worlds festival map and is open to everyone that wants a great day and night out.

Leon Potter from the Norwich Mardi Gras team said “It is planned as a party in the park with a funfair, stages featuring local bands and cabaret artists, along with market stalls, a dance tent, dance troops and places to eat and drink. The main aim is for the city to come together and have an unforgettable day out.”

Norwich City Council is backing the event and has granted permission for the party to go ahead at Earlham Park with its 88 acres of space, next to the University of East Anglia. Its location is on an excellent transport link that will take the staggering 5,000 people expected to attend the park.

Leon Potter from the Norwich Mardi Gras team said “LGBT events and Mardi Gras, have always been fun and colourful and we’re hoping to bring these elements to Norwich and include all members of the community.”

A lot of interest and support has been shown and is growing in size daily. The event is on power with any other regional Pride and Mardi Gras event.

Fundraising events are being held at various locations throughout Norfolk and local companies are being encouraged to sponsor the event. Many have shown interest and there are lots more room for businesses to get behind the event.

So what can you do? There is lots of scope for getting involved and the team wants to hear from you.

From the individual prize donations are greatly appreciated for regular fund raising raffles, tombolas and auctions.

For businesses various opportunities are available that will promote your company large or small. To say thanks for sponsorship the committee will put your logo on tickets, posters and highlight your business throughout Norwich Mardi Gras marketing materials.

Advertising space is also available on the website and in the program to be released in the summer and there is a non for profit community group up and running.

Mr Potter said “We’d love people to come on board and suggest fundraising ideas and events. We re open to business sponsorships, donations and if you can’t help in this way, just come a long on the day.”

The date is not set in stone at this point, but will go ahead one Saturday in September.

You really will not be disappointed. I can’t wait to see you all at Norwich Mardi Gras.

For full details and further information, to get involved and come along to a fund raising event, take a look at www.norwichmardigras.co.uk