On 17th September 1995, something extraordinary happened in Belfast. Back then, we were known as The Beat Initiative, and on that autumn day we brought colour, music, and joy to the streets with the very first Beat Carnival Parade.
This was no ordinary Belfast parade. Instead of traditional banners and marching bands, the city was filled with buzzing bees and mischievous mice, peasants and petals, and a whole garden of lively characters under the theme “Hayfever.” Musicians played, dancers whirled, bikers revved their way through the crowd, and stilt walkers towered above it all. Floats rolled by in a dazzling display of creativity and community spirit.
It was unlike anything Belfast had seen before – a parade that broke with convention and invited everyone to come together in celebration. The Sunday Times called it “the first inoffensive march in Belfast’s troubled history.”
From that landmark day in 1995 right up to the present, we have never missed a year of carnival. Whether producing our own parades or joining with partners, carnival has been at the heart of what we do.
Carnival isn’t just about spectacle. It’s about people. Parades bring communities together, create opportunities for collective participation, nurture emerging talent, support artists, and give everyone a space to express themselves creatively. The impact is lasting, not just on the day, but in the confidence, skills, and joy carried forward by those who take part.
As we look back on that very first parade with fondness, we also look forward to many more years of carnival magic.
Take a trip down memory lane: watch the Hayfever parade video on our YouTube channel. Who knows – you might even spot yourself in the crowd!
