Around 150,000 people attended the 31st Luton International Carnival on Bank Holiday Monday with up to 2,500 people taking part on more than 60 floats.  | | Luton Carnival 2006 |
Once again the centre of Luton came to a standstill for the biggest free one day celebration in Britain, as those in the procession danced their way along the full length of the route to the rhythms and sounds of the Caribbean, Africa, Asia, England, Latin America and Ireland. And despite the odd hailstorm, the wet spells didn't dampen the enthusiasm of the revellers. Dancing the route!The streets were awash with colour and music as more than 55 different groups, including clubs, schools, societies and communities got involved, bringing a diverse mix of arts, music and culture to the streets of the town, with masquerade groups, sounds trucks, steel bands, DJs and stilt walkers. With three stages and six sound sites across the town, the selection of live musical entertainment taking place for free on just one day was quite astonishing.  | | Luton Carnival 2006 |
One carnival goer, BBC Three Counties Johanne Hudson-Lett, told us what she loved about carnival. "It's a great day, its' when people get together from all different communities" she said. "I think that one of the best things is all the colour that you see. People have spent like a year making all their costumes and getting together with other groups. "And the music and the atmosphere - it's just fantastic, I love Luton carnival!" | 
