COLOURFUL costumes and street processions will be the order of the day at York Carnival 2005 tomorrow (May 1).

The event will kick off with a colourful procession, incorporating costumes, music and dance starting in Dean's Park at 12.30pm and finishing in Parliament Street.

Following on from the success of last year's inaugural event, organisers have established four performance areas.

There will be a main stage in Parliament Street for the acts to play on, and an east Asian arts tent in St Sampson's Square housing Indonesian, Thai and Japanese music and craft.

In addition, there will be an area devoted to workshops in Kings Square where visitors can try their hand at African drumming and Brazilian samba.

Local dance groups will be displaying their talents in the Coppergate Centre, showcasing traditional British dances, contemporary dance and Brazilian martial arts.

Finally, there will be an open ceilidh in St Sampson's Square featuring local band Niblik.

There are two fringe events to the carnival this year. From 8am to 10.30am there are May Day events running in Rowntree Park, organised by the Young Friends of Rowntree Park, including morris dancing by Minster Stray, a bird walk, breakfast and crafts. Youngsters will get the chance to make floral headdresses and Green Man masks and learn about other May Day traditions.

For this event meet at the park pavilion by the tennis courts at 8am. Cost is £1.50 per person and included tea and toast or £4 for a full English breakfast. Pre-booking is essential for the breakfast by ringing 07910 124019.

The first Street Eat event takes place in the York Quarter streets - comprising Back Swinegate, Swinegate, Little Stonegate and Grape Lane - from noon to 6pm, where restaurants will be providing al-fresco food and the HOBO theatre group will be performing their new play, XYZ, throughout the day.

The carnival is funded by the Yorkshire arm of the Arts Council of England.

Last year's pilot event was conceived by music undergraduate, Jessica Brand, and involved a world music extravaganza which involved people from all walks of life from York and North Yorkshire. Among the event highlights was a performance by Congolese Robert Maseko.

Updated: 10:06 Saturday, April 30, 2005