Almost 100 Enfield residents, including the mayor, braved the wind and rain for six hours as part of the event in central London.
The festivities ended in an awards ceremony. Ultimately the £20,000 top prize went to Lewisham but Enfield was commended for its entry.
(Image: Garry Kousoulou)
Enfield’s entry was organised by social media expert and optician Garry Kousoulou for Enfield Mayor Mohammad Islam.
Searching for a way to show the breadth of cultures in Enfield, he looked to the multi-lingual eye test charts he uses in his job, designing banners and T-shirts based on them.
Mr Kousoulou said: “Looking at the eye chart on the wall, it hit me.
“Every day, I help people see clearly.
“Why not help people see our community’s beautiful diversity just as clearly?”
The parade entry had community backing, with support from local businesses and organisations including Bengali Dancers, Gardener’s Trees, Centre Transport Sales, Red Eyewear, Gordon Thomas Opticians and Supple Feet, with Direct Boot providing free T-shirt printing.
Two Enfield charities, Mission to Raise Awareness for MS and Family Based Solutions, were represented.
And environmental group N0CO2 demonstrated their commitment by pledging to plant trees in Madagascar to offset the parade entry’s environmental impact.
Mr Kousoulou said: “When you see hundreds of people marching together, wearing these symbols of unity, you realise that while prizes are wonderful, the real victory is in our community coming together, regardless of the weather or outcome.”
