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Final preparations for carnival Carnival crowds expected in city
(about 18 hours later)
Final preparations are taking place for the Notting Hill Carnival, which will see hundreds of thousands of revellers line the streets of west London. Hundreds of thousands of revellers are expected to start arriving in west London for the Notting Hill Carnival.
Costumed masquerade artists will join steel pan bands to perform along the three-and-a-half mile route through west London on Sunday and Monday.Costumed masquerade artists will join steel pan bands to perform along the three-and-a-half mile route through west London on Sunday and Monday.
This year the carnival procession will begin at the earlier time of 0900 BST and end at 1830 BST on both days.This year the carnival procession will begin at the earlier time of 0900 BST and end at 1830 BST on both days.
About 1.5m people are expected to join what is Europe's biggest street party. About 1.5m people are expected to join what is Europe's biggest street party over the two days.
Costumed masquerade artists will join steel pan bands to perform along the three-and-a-half mile route through west London on Sunday and Monday.
This year the carnival procession will begin at the earlier time of 0900 BST and end at 1830 BST on both days.
About 1.5m people are expected to join what is Europe's biggest street party over the two days.
Almost 40 static sound systems will each offer music including traditional soca or calypso, as well as reggae, hip-hop jazz, soul, house and garage.Almost 40 static sound systems will each offer music including traditional soca or calypso, as well as reggae, hip-hop jazz, soul, house and garage.
There will also be hundreds of exotic food and drink stalls providing a variety of tastes, including the authentic flavours of the Caribbean, China, Thailand and Nigeria.There will also be hundreds of exotic food and drink stalls providing a variety of tastes, including the authentic flavours of the Caribbean, China, Thailand and Nigeria.
Screening wandsScreening wands
Chris Boothman, the event's lead director, said: "Notting Hill Carnival is essentially an event that is designed to bring people of different backgrounds together in celebration of Caribbean culture.Chris Boothman, the event's lead director, said: "Notting Hill Carnival is essentially an event that is designed to bring people of different backgrounds together in celebration of Caribbean culture.
"The event has huge international appeal and plays a crucial role in celebrating London's diversity and attracting visitors to our great capital city.""The event has huge international appeal and plays a crucial role in celebrating London's diversity and attracting visitors to our great capital city."
London's mayor Boris Johnson encouraged revellers to arrive early to enjoy the "colourful floats and the sounds of the massed bands and steel pans".London's mayor Boris Johnson encouraged revellers to arrive early to enjoy the "colourful floats and the sounds of the massed bands and steel pans".
"The historic event highlights the best of Caribbean culture and the contribution that Caribbean Londoners have made," he said."The historic event highlights the best of Caribbean culture and the contribution that Caribbean Londoners have made," he said.
In addition to the time change, there will also be efforts to ensure the agreed noise level of 135 decibels is adhered to.In addition to the time change, there will also be efforts to ensure the agreed noise level of 135 decibels is adhered to.
Thousands of Metropolitan Police officers will be on duty.Thousands of Metropolitan Police officers will be on duty.
Stop and search measures will be in use, along with screening wands to check for concealed weapons and technology to recognise number plates.Stop and search measures will be in use, along with screening wands to check for concealed weapons and technology to recognise number plates.
On Saturday, a steel band competition, Panorama, taking place in London's Hyde Park, marks the start of the Notting Hill Carnival weekend.On Saturday, a steel band competition, Panorama, taking place in London's Hyde Park, marks the start of the Notting Hill Carnival weekend.

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