Organisers have arranged one of the biggest ever line-ups of entertainment and activities for this year’s Felixstowe Carnival – and with the hot weather forecast to stay, huge crowds are expected.
What’s on offer?
The three-day event got under way at the resort on Friday evening with a Proms Night at the Beachside Events Arena featuring the 22-piece Essential Sounds Big Band and the Three Chordettes, who specialise in 1940s swing.
This event, which took place from 7pm to 10pm, was held for the first time last year and proved extremely popular.
Saturday’s main event is the procession with the parade due to set off from Colneis Road at 1pm, heading down Beatrice Avenue, through the shopping area of Hamilton Road and Orwell Road, and Garrison Lane to the seafront.
New attractions and themes for 2018
This year’s theme is Pantomime and a wealth of local groups, organisations and businesses have entered decorated floats, while others taking part will include the Britannia Pipe band, Suffolk Samba Band and majorettes, and the carnival royal court of queen Sophia, 17, and princesses Evie, 10, Roxy, nine, and Olivia.
Live music and other attractions
Both Saturday and Sunday there will be live music on the main stage at the Beachside Events Arena, with acts including Roma, Cowlings Dance Academy, Hurricane Alley, The Preservatives, Cu’da Groove, Sammy J, All Glammed Up and Ska’d 4 Life.
Other attractions on the seafront include a funfair on Pier Bight, donkey rides, craft fair at Felixstowe Leisure Centre, Kinetic Science sessions, Brickologists, Messy Church with Fun and Faith, Circus Skills workshops, a chance to Meet the Dinosaurs, plus trampolines on Saturday and Laser Tag Fun on Sunday.
Carnival to round off with a bang
A fireworks display from the pier will close the event at 10pm on Sunday.
Carnival chairman Julie Bellamy said the aim was to provide “something for everyone to enjoy”.
She thanked everyone who had helped organise and fund this year’s event.
She said: “Financially we have really struggled to get the money we need to put on the carnival this year, but we have managed to get there.
“The committee have to find every penny and the sponsorship, advertising, traders and donations this weekend will mean we can carry on providing this free to all event.”
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