This morning we went to Eastleigh and spent two hours there.
An event called Eastleigh Mardi Gras took place in the town centre – a day of live music and entertainment with a post-war theme: “The war is over! It’s time to party!”
I discovered the event by chance last year, and wrote Eastleigh Mardi Gras 2014: Fun, Joy, Charities for Community.
There seemed to be 3 things happening in Eastleigh town today:
- Music, children play area, charities doing fundraising, and a military vehicle display by SOE – Solent Overlord Executive Military Collectors Club
- Vintage Market
- Parade around town in the evening
In the morning, we explored the delightful Vintage Market in Eastleigh’s re-developed Market Place. It’s the first Vintage Market in Eastleigh town, with about 40 vintage themed stalls covering a range of clothing, jewellery, homeware, and gifts.
I bought a special 100-year-old postcard (£7) for my father-in-law from a gentleman selling badges (I think some of them are military badges, but why would people not keep them as family treasures?), old postcards, stamps, and vintage posters.
At Leigh Road Recreation Ground, I came across an interesting stall promoting EU: the European Commission Representation in the United Kingdom. I found out some work the organisation does, and more importantly, I got some freebies.
Eastleigh College was very engaging with visitors. Students were making lovely pancakes, and I was also given two discount vouchers for lunch and dinner at Eastleigh College’s restaurant. The food will be prepared by the students. I’ve heard a lot of good things about their catering, so will definitely book a table soon.
Some charity groups were there: Shine charity for Spina Bifida, Hydrocephalus, Autism Hampshire, and Autism Society. I was pleased to see Eastleigh Museum and The Rotary Club Of Eastleigh there too.
The Vintage Market was organised in partnership with Yellow Vintage, renowned around the south for their popular vintage fairs, such as the Ageas Bowl.
Live music from the talented Southampton Concert Wind Band, Uke Band, Stepping Out Academy of Performing Arts, and Eastleigh Fusion Choir was enjoyable.
Mardi Gras Eastleigh: the parade
The parade took place from 5pm. One of Chandler’s Ford Today’s writers, Chippy Minton, sent me an email this evening (while I was getting ready for the new Doctor Who series) with some photos of the parade.
Chippy Minton said he had only just caught the procession by chance. Thank you for these photos. The Hampshire police officer looked totally amazing in that fancy vehicle.
Suggestion: A new name for the great event?
I have a suggestion to the organiser of Mardi Gras. Though I love this event, and I’m thankful for the hard work of so many people who organise such a fantastic day for the community, I would like you to consider changing the name of the event.
Calling a day of entertainment for family in September “Mardi Gras” is just not quite right.
Traditionally Mardi Gras (or Fat Tuesday in French) is a Christian holiday, commonly known as Shrove Tuesday, Pancake Day or Pancake Tuesday in the UK. Mardi Gras normally takes place around February or March each year.
Pancake Day, Shrove Tuesday, Mardi Gras – whatever you call it – is the last day before the period which Christians call Lent, a period of abstinence.
The Eastleigh “Mardi Gras” event is brilliant, popular, and well loved. We need an appropriate name to match its brilliance.
When you have an appropriate name for this carnival, festive type event, people would not have to ask the same question each year: “Why? Mardi Gras in September? You must be joking.”
Perhaps the organiser could have a competition to help think of a better name?
What do the readers think of this suggestion?
@cfordtoday The Red Barrows pic.twitter.com/SM45qPPUhL
— Sonja Davison (@jstpumpkin) September 19, 2015
Were you in Eastleigh town today? I hope you had a great day today. Share what you saw, the atmosphere, and what you think could improve this event.
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Eastleigh Mardi Gras 2014: Fun, Joy, Charities for Community
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Interesting post, Janet. I hope everyone who went to the Mardi Gras had a great time. I like the idea of a competition to think of a better name. Mardi Gras and Eastleigh… well it doesn’t quite fit, does it? Mention Mardi Gras and I think of Rio! (Spot the difference!).
By having Mardi Gras is September, is Eastleigh 6 months ahead or six months behind the rest of the world?
Like you, I find this out-of context use of “Mardi Gras” grating. It takes the significance out of the festival, like having hot-cross buns all year round, or easter eggs just after Christmas.
Seeing as it is harvest festival time of year, I wondered about something based that, but Eastleigh doesn’t really have a agricultural heritage, so that wouldn’t work. How about something based on the time of year – “late summer”, or “equinox”?
Why not call it “Trinity Time” if you need a Christian connection. After Pentecost or Whit-Sunday all the Sundays are called the nth Sunday after Trinity, until you get to Advent. Trinity is to do with the 3 in one (Father Son and Holy Ghost). In Eastleigh’s case the Trinity could be Town, People and Trade.
There could be arguments. It was the nature of the Trinity that divided the Eastern Orthodox Church from the Western Church about 1500 years ago.
I just wanted to say how much I enjoyed the Vintage Fair on Saturday. It was fabulous to see the town buzzing and so many people out enjoying the music in the park. We particularly enjoyed the Samba band, the Fusion Choir and the Air Raid Sirens who performed two sets of 1940’s music.
It was great to see the air cadets getting involved and providing some light entertainment with their “Red Barrows” synchronised dance routine.
The vintage market was a great improvement on the normal Saturday one and I only hope that the stall holders found it worthwhile so that they will come back again. I bought a beautiful vintage broach and was tempted by the vintage photography which looked amazing.
In terms of the name Mardi Gras, it isn’t something that bothers me personally. However, I do think it sets people up with certain expectations about what the procession will be like which I don’t think at this stage it is quite living up to. However, it is hopefully a name that the event can grow into.
Hi Tina,
Thank you for your comment. The event was so special. When I was browsing, the band was playing “I wanna be like you” from the Jungle Book – absolutely beautiful performance.
Next time I hope the advertisement / marketing would be stronger. I had only realised the Vintage Market would be there a few days beforehand. Many of my friends didn’t know about it either. Also the Vintage Market event didn’t seem to be included in the brochure.
The Vintage Market is promising, and I hope it will continue. The location is fab, and I think Vintage Markets suit Eastleigh well as a railway town.
I’m very uncomfortable with the name Mardi Gras in September. It is not right. It is confusing. In marketing, you don’t want to confuse your audience. I think we need a proper name for such a beautiful event. The event name doesn’t have to be fancy, but it has to match the season and the aim and purpose of event. The name Mardi Gras does not reflect our lovely late summer party in Eastleigh.