For those who have never been to the Notting Hill Carnival, undoubtedly, there is a level of hysteria surrounding what happens here.
From its 60s roots in resistance against racism, it has snowballed in size.
The challenge for organisers nowadays is that fundamentally, what it’s grown into is at odds with what this event stands for.
How do you control and manage something which, at its heart, is about recognising and representing freedom?
In reality, that requires police. A lot of police. They are everywhere. Largely keeping a respectful distance. Positioned like chess pieces ready to be moved to wherever those watching on from CCTV might dictate they’re needed.
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Does it feel any unsafer than being at, say, Glastonbury? Not particularly. But arguably, being stuck in a bottleneck of crowds on a small city road on a sweaty day in August, you can certainly feel more hemmed in than if you were out in a field in Somerset.
For the young kids, dancing and dressing up to take part in Sunday’s official parades, the appeal is obvious.
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The joy and pride you see from those taking part is heartwarming, and it is a glorious spectacle.
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Common sense dictates that few parents should or do attempt to drag little ones past the roads where blaring sound systems are set up, where you will find those intent on being inebriated from early on.
This being family day, you will find balloons, but they are not being held by children. Nos is openly inhaled, yes, Carnival has an edgy side.
That crime and violence is the conversation that surrounds this Carnival is frustrating to say the least for those who’ve grown up coming here.
I spend some time talking to Michelle, who used to live in Chiswick. She’s since moved to the north of England but comes back each year especially.
I ask if she welcomes the number of police, and she says no.
“I’d like more….I saw someone get bottled in front of me, pouring out with blood….and it’s quite scary to be around that kind of, you know, aura.“
Why come then?, I ask.
“I get to see my family, my nephews, my nieces, my aunties and it’s all about culture, history and heritage.”
As I walk around with Ian Comfort, chair of Notting Hill Carnival, he makes the point that all two million people who will come here over two days are never here at once.
Ironically, after offering to guide me to a different location, we get stuck in a very slow-moving crowd of revellers.
Out the other side, he apologises but says: “That was fine though, you’re alright? And didn’t you find everyone is so happy?”.
It’s true, they were.
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While critics have suggested it might be safer all around to shift this entire event to a location like Hyde Park, one woman tells me absolutely not.
“It’s a convenient way to box off black people, so no.”
And that’s the point. This is a place where community comes together.
You don’t walk around constantly looking over your shoulder.
The reasons for marking this – resistance against racism – are important to mark today as they ever were.
