As is the case every year, preparations are currently being made for the carnival of Evian, which forms part of the key events of the town. However, what makes things different from the previous years is that the event of 2020 will be the 30th edition. The event organisers, as well as the municipality, are therefore planning to have an extraordinary show. We will be briefly mentioning the carnival’s backstory and some of its key moments. We will also tell you a bit more about the carnival of 2020.
The team behind the carnival
The initiative of the carnival at Evian is that of the association Lez’Arts de la Fête. It was formed in 1995 by some volunteers which had the common goal of making the town more joyful. Today, the association has the support of the Town of Evian, of the Département de la Haute-Savoie and that of the region of Auvergne Rhône-Alpes, amongst others. The group is also allocated a budget for organising the carnival.
The previous edition
The 29th edition was held as from Friday the 22nd to Saturday the 23rd of February of this year. A bright parade left the Palais des Festivités to perform the “Parade Lumineuse” on the Rue Nationale around 6 that Friday evening. As usual, glow sticks were distributed to children.
Back to the Palais des Festivités, the organisers were given the town’s keys by the lady mayor of Evian. Dressed in orange and red, holding drums and other instruments, the group of musicians made the public move on Saturday morning at the Place Charles de Gaule.
Around 4 in the afternoon, the parade of floats, along with walking participants, proceeded on the Rue Nationale. Majorettes, Brazilian dancers wearing sequin costumes, stilt walkers and some batucada were there, like they are every year. The event was closed with a dinner dance at the Palais des Festivités.
According to the president of the organizing group, Alain Portier, this 29th edition went down very well with the public. The look and the quality of the floats respectively were found very appealing. The public also enjoyed the variety of music genres that was played.
Aiming higher with the 30th edition
Save the dates: the 30th edition of the carnival in Evian is scheduled for the 28th and the 29th of February 2020. During the General Assembly of the 16th of October last, it was decided that the organisers of the carnival, the group Lez’Arts de la Fête would be allocated 55,000 euros in terms of budget for the carnival by the municipality. Only 40,000 euros were allocated for previous editions.
The organisers are planning an extravagant event with a larger number of musical groups with this considerable support. As for the schedule, it remains unchanged. The parade is set for Friday night, the float procession for Saturday afternoon and the dinner dance for Saturday night. Two new elements will be included to the show. Also, the security level will be increased.
There is not much time left before this flamboyant carnival. We wait with much impatience to discover what the organisers have in store. The residents of Evian will surely enjoy the most, as they do not go to the show, but the show walks to them!