The tag-line of Gauteng Carnival is ‘spreading joy and happiness.’ And 2014’s carnival certainly succeeded with this aim – passersby watching the vibrant procession on 6 September were smiling from ear to ear.
The 20 000 participants taking part in the carnival danced and sang for 6km, never breaking their smiles or their formations.
The colourful procession weaved through the streets of Auckland Park, Melville and down toward Emmarentia, ending up at the Johannesburg Botanical Gardens.
And even then the show didn’t stop. Carnival goers were treated to live shows, acrobatics and flame throwers at night.
One Auckland Park resident, who’d walked out of his house to see what the commotion was about, ran back into his house to get a lawn chair and watch the enormous procession for two hours.
“I wasn’t expecting to spend most of my Saturday watching this,” James Olckers said.
“But I couldn’t stop looking, and now I can’t stop smiling; I want to go to the Botanical Gardens and continue watching the show.”
Acrobats, dancers, musicians, amazing costumes and large floats told the story of the journey of South Africa over the last 20 years, spokesperson for the Gauteng Department of Sport, Arts, Culture and Recreation Nomazwe Ntlokwana said. The event was organised by this government department.
Preparation for the carnival has been ongoing since April – with choreographers preparing dance troupes, seamstresses sewing costumes and welders getting a head-start on the floats. And the results were worth it.
*The main parade was preceded by a 4km schools parade starting at Milpark Primary School featuring 6 500 school pupils.
Another beautiful creation on Auckland Park’s streets.
Carnival participants having fun.
A crowd member having fun.
Brass bands and music get festival-goers dancing.
Some of the crowd follow the procession.
Participants on a passing truck share jokes.
Men on stilts effortlessly walk the six kilometres to the Botanical Gardens.
Brass bands and music had festival-goers dancing.
A smiling, walking representation of a sunflower.
She keeps smiling even as she walks her enormous float.
Dancing for 6km seem to be no problem.
Dancers perform on the corner of Lothbury and Streatley Avenue.
Walking and dancing is fun!
Carnival-participants having fun.
Dancers having fun.
Amazing outfits in the procession.
Some festival participants opted to ride on the large, colourful trucks that took part in the procession.
The procession passes Campus Square.
Onlookers enjoy the show.
Some of the crowd follow the procession.
Wearing a heavy stylized hat for a 6km walk couldn’t wipe the smile off this pupil’s face.
The varying procession never ceases to amaze.
Drinking water is used for other purposes on this balmy, summery day.
Spectacular giant puppets enthrall watchers.
Amazing outfits in the procession.
Enterprising vendors sell fruit ices to onlookers, and smiles are plentiful.
Two of the gathering onlookers enjoy the show.
Floats were spectacular and larger than life.
Carnival-watchers have fun.
Flowers adorn many of the particpants heads.
It must have been taxing to dance for six kilometres, but these street dancers didn’t show it.
Carnival participants enjoy a good time.
The youngsters taking part seem to be having the most fun.
Commuters on busy Empire Road were treated to a spectacular show as the procession passed.
A sneaky water fight starts.
Onlookers gather to see the incredible carnival procession.
The crowd following the procession enjoys the show.
This first float apparently symbolises our rainbow nation.
Participants perform traditional dances on the street.
Carnival attendees having fun.
The vibrant procession passes by.
Egyptian head-dress at the Carnival.
Schools also participate in the joyous procession.
Avian head-dress was common place in Auckland Park’s streets on 6 September.
One of the colourful Carnival participants.
Participants having fun.
The Carnival meanders down Lothbury Avenue in Auckland Park.
