Nile style at Crumpsall Carnival

Genuine Ancient Egyptian artefacts will be on show at this year’s Crumpsall Carnival as the event travels back in time to the Land of the Pharaohs.

Carnival-goers will literally be able to get their hands on history on Sunday 29 June thanks to Manchester Museum, which is providing items from its Ancient Egypt collection. The museum's Egyptologist, Dr Karen Exell, will be on hand to share her knowledge - explaining artefacts and how the Ancient Egyptians lived.

Artefacts on show will include jewellery, tools, masks and shabtis - small figurines placed in a tomb to represent workers. It was believed a spell written on the figures would miraculously bring them to life to help the dead person in the afterworld.

Revellers will be encouraged to 'walk like an Egyptian' when a costumed festival parade sets off from Herristone Park at 12.30pm. Four local primary schools have been working with artists to provide elements of the parade: Egyptian dance (Crumpsall Lane); pyramids, the River Nile and its animal inhabitants (St Anne's RC); secrets of Ancient Egypt (St Thomas Community Primary) and pharaohs, gods and godesses (Cravenwood).

The parade arrives in Crumpsall Park at 1pm when Lord Mayor of Manchester Councillor Mavis Smitheman will officially open the event, hosted by the Friends of Crumpsall Park in partnership with Manchester City Council.

Entertainment at the event includes Egyptian dancers, cheerleaders and a children's entertainer. Crumpsall Comets concert band and Abraham Moss Theatre Group will also take starring roles, as will the winner and runners up of a talent contest held by Northern Air Hospital Radio.

There will also be a range of stalls, and a football tournament organised by the City Council's sports development team.

Councillor Mike Amesbury, Executive Member for Arts and Leisure, said: "Whatever age they are, people are fascinated by Ancient Egypt. I'm sure this year's event, mixing real history with recreations, will be enthusiastically received."

Tom Sogbetun, Chair of the Friends of Crumpsall Park, said: ""The Crumpsall Carnival has gone from small beginnings to an event which really captures people's imaginations with individuals, schools, and organisations all working together throughout the planning stages and on the day to make the event what it is. This year's 'Egyptian themed' event promises to be especially exciting."

Dr Karen Exell, Curator of Egypt and the Sudan, said: "The Manchester Museum is home to one of the largest and most important collections of Egyptian artefacts in the UK. It's really nice to be invited to Crumpsall Carnival to show some of the artefacts to people who may not have had the chance to visit. We are also planning to redevelop our Egyptian gallery soon and would like to know what people think about it."

Crumpsall Park, which opened in the 1890s, is one of Manchester's oldest parks. The 11-acre park remains one of the most used in the city.

The carnival runs from 1-5pm at Crumpsall Park.

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