Bicycles at Northampton Carnival

Bicycles have always been at the heart of Northampton Carnival. The Carnival originally began as a ‘Bicyclists Parade’ in 1890 and this then became the ‘Cycle Parade’ in 1901. Children and adults decorated their bicycles and wore elaborate costumes, entering the carnival in a wide range of categories. Programmes from the carnival show many categories specifically dedicated to the bicycles such as ‘Best Fancy Get-Up on Tricycle’ and ‘Decorated Get-up on Cycle’.