Photographs of Marilyn at 15 years old crowned the Hat Queen at Luton Carnival in April 1954. Luton Carnival was originally a Hat fair. Since then Marilyn has taken part in the Carnival annually and leads the dressing of a float by the Samaritans – who by tradition always end the Luton parade. She and her family are a good example of the meaning for groups and families of taking part in carnival over time and the transition in terms of content from English based festival to one that celebrates diverse cultural traditions