Worthing Rotary Carnival returns for 2025!

Rotary Parade: photo by Ian Bourn for Scene Sussex

Worthing Rotary Carnival returns for 2025!

I was looking forward to joining Worthing Rotary Carnival procession for the town’s annual carnival parade along the sea front again. It started at the end of Grand Avenue participants all danced, sang and drummed to popular rhythms and sounds to the huge crowd gathered all along the sea front into Worthing town. It all finished up at Steyne Gardens and Beach House Grounds.

Rotary Parade: photo by Ian Bourn for Scene Sussex

The weather was perfect for the parade. The procession was headed up by Worthing’s very own Town Cryer Bob Smytherman. The displays of dancers and local groups and charities made their way along the promenade after starting at 12.30 sharp. The pavements and any free space was packed with cheering onlookers. All the traffic had been stopped for the morning and so the participants had the run of the place!

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The floats processed along the seafront to the town centre, with many stops along the way, they created a wandering party of audio and visual delights interacting with the massive crowds and handing out flyers and other goodies!

Rotary Parade: photo by Ian Bourn for Scene Sussex

Various floats and groups marched past us in the sunshine. Good to see the resurrection of The Undertaker mingling with the crowds. A poor old Dalek looked a bit lost as its motor system had obviously been zapped by Dr Who and his sonic screwdriver. Plenty of hands to help push him along, I did hear one “volunteer” from the planet SKARO declare the Dalek had run over his foot!

Along the seafront running along the footpath there were many side stalls offering a wide selection of goods and tasty treats, and a Farmers market.

It was a most uplifting experience; I haven’t seen the town so busy in a long while and great to see so many families out enjoying the spectacle and the sunshine! There really was almost too much to take in.

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The many Rotary volunteers mingled with the crowd allowing the public the opportunity to donate and raise funds for the wide range of important charities and causes supported by the Rotary Club.

Great to see St Barnabas House team taking part again this year.

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The event features everything from hot food to a live music stage. There is a small car show, with the well loved autos shining in the sunshine, there were various children’s activities also available. Little surprise then that this event is so popular.

As we headed on the the grassy event area we were greeted by a wealth of super hero characters.

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Characters from Star Wars, to Deadpool to Ghostbusters to Wolverine to Transformers! Breathtaking!

Hats off to the guys who took part in the parade, hats off – or helmets off to those who stayed in costume for the afternoon! It must have been baking in that heat under that clothing and make up.

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The characters kept on appearing putting on a super show and posing for selfies with the grown-ups and photos with the youngsters! The face on a little girl as she had her photo taken with Elsa (Frozen) was joyous!

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The Ghostbusters were on hand….. just in case! Who Ya Gonna Call! The Riddler was reportedly seen mingling with everyone trying to get his photo taken!

The Steyne Gardens was filled to capacity with happy, smiling people. It really was a joy to be there sharing the experience.

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This event has been running since 1921! Long may it continue! Thank you to the Worthing branch of Rotary for a wonderful day out for so many people.

You can visit Rotary on the WWW – The Worthing page here. The group have a FaceBook page here, check out what is coming up in our area or volunteer! There is also a Rotary Carnival page here!

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This wonderfully put together and run carnival is a mainstay on Worthing’s event calendar, and hopefully you can see why it has remained a favourite with locals and holiday makers.

Rotary Parade: photo by Ian Bourn for Scene Sussex

The cosplay characters were provided by Cosplay Allstars who were fund raising directly with the Worthing Rotary club. This year saw over 65 characters coming from as far as Wales, Lincolnshire, London, Hertfordshire, Kent and Essex. Thanks to Mr No Stripe, the founder – they have a web site here.

You want some more super hero action? Click on this link!

Words and photos by Ian Bourn.

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All original pictures / video – copyright to IANB/MEDIA WORKS/ SCENE SUSSEX – Ian “The Lens” Bourn 2025.

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