LAST-MINUTE preparations are being made to this year’s Weymouth Carnival which is set to be a corker.

Organisers have a bumper show lined up on Wednesday, August 20 focusing on traditional family fun.

The usual crowd-pleasers have been arranged plus new attractions.

A crane bungee jump lined up for the beach has been cancelled however due to what carnival chairman Elysia Munday described as ‘location restrictions’. It is hoped to secure the attraction next year instead.

The day will kick off with the crowing of carnival queen and Miss Weymouth winner Emma Whitbread.

There will be two air displays – the famous Red Arrows and, fittingly to mark the anniversary of the First World War, the Great War Display Team – plus the grand procession featuring a riot of colour, music and mayhem.

An explosive finale is promised with fireworks in the Bay, one of only two displays being funded by the borough council this year.

Details of events are contained in the souvenir programme which is now on sale, along with prize draw tickets.

Elysia, a former carnival queen, said: “It’s the biggest one day event in the area and it’s going to be a brilliant, fun-packed day for both locals and visitors to enjoy whatever their age.

“They’ll be games, circus skills, sports and live music all day on the beach. We’ll have seafront stalls too which will have a more traditional, family feel.”

She added: “The team has done an amazing job bringing it all together and we’ve had support from local businesses.

“The door is still open for more volunteers to join us and this Sunday we are training volunteers from 10am-12pm in an event at the fire station which includes an optional free first aid course worth £120. Come along if you want to be involved.”

 

Carnival at a glance
(full details in the carnival programme)

  • 10am: Carnival queen crowning on New Vic balcony
  • 2pm: Great War Display Team
  • 5.30pm: Red Arrows
  • 6.30pm: Procession
  • 9.30pm: Fireworks
  • All day: Free sports, live music and circus skills on beach
  • International food village on harbourside near Pavilion