Castletown’s famous ‘Confetti Carnival’ will return to the ancient capital this Saturday evening with sponsorship from local building firm Hartford Homes.

Now in its 59th year, the Confetti Carnival is an intrinsic part of the town’s annual festival day which this year takes place from midday on Saturday 1 August.

Hartford Homes director James Greenhalgh said “We’re proud to support such a colourful and historic part of the local community- long may it continue!”

The evening of entertainment kicks off in The Parade at 7pm and includes confetti-throwing, fancy dress prize presentations, an open air disco and performances from the group Shoddywaddy as well as a Katie Perry and Jessie J tribute act, concluding with a fireworks display from 10pm.

Chairman of Castletown Festival Committee Tony Brown said “I think the Confetti Carnival is so time-honoured because Castletown people like me value this unique tradition which provides a special event for families, especially the children.”

The festivities normally take place in the town’s Market Square but due to major road-works will move to The Parade adjacent to the Co-operative store this year, with some attractions being located in the Grammar School car park.

Tony explained that the confetti carnival has a long history, with the first recorded event taking place in the town’s market square on 21 July 1910 in aid of Castletown Football Club. Since then, confetti carnivals have been hosted at regular intervals, with Castletown Festival holding them continuously for the last 58 years.

Other traditional parts of the festival programme include stalls and games, fashion contests, bonny baby competitions, crowning of the festival queen and princesses, along with a fancy dress parade led by the Castletown Metropolitan Silver Band.

The Castletown Festival is organised by a voluntary committee and relies on sponsorship from local businesses to continue serving the community with no admission charge.

Tony added “Hartford Homes’ involvement as a main sponsor, along with our other sponsors, is of significant importance to the festival as it enables us to retain our tradition and origins of bringing joy to our community, regardless of age and regardless of anyone’s means.”

Other festival sponsors include Belles & Bows Wilkie & Rose, Castletown Insurance Services, Callow’s Yard, Celtic Associates Ltd, Friends Provident International, The George Hotel, Ray Harding, Hard Hat Cafe, Hugh Logan Architect, IOM Bank, IOM Flight Training Ltd, IOM Steam Packet Co Ltd, T E Leece & Son, Memory Lane Sweet Shop, Middleton Katz Chartered Secretaries LLC, Bill Mummery, Norman Cowin Ltd, Optimus Fiduciaries Ltd, Shoprite, S&S Motors, Strix Ltd, Sure (IOM) Ltd, Titley Cleaners and Moore Stephens.

The ‘clean-up’ of the confetti will be undertaken by the Castletown Town Commissioners on Sunday morning.

Hartford Homes’ Knock Rushen development sits on the outskirts of Castletown on the coast with stunning views over Scarlett and is made up 45 homes, with just three properties remaining for sale.

Photo - 2015 Festival Queen Hannah Clayton after being selected in May.