The Pershore Carnival returns this bank holiday following a two-year absence.
Brought forward due to the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee, a wide range of activities will be taking place throughout the town on Monday, from live music and dog shows to ferret racing and go-karts.
Lindsey Stone, Pershore Carnival committee secretary, is hoping to raise lots of money for this year’s chosen charities.
She said: “With the weather set fair, we are expecting a huge turnout which will be a great boost to the town.
“The committee is pleased to announce that the beneficiaries of the street collection accompanying the carnival procession will be Pershore and District Disabled Swimmers (PADDLERS) and the Pershore and Evesham Downs Syndrome Support Group (PEDDS).
“We hope visitors remember to bring lots of coins with them on the day! Other charitable donations will be made after the event, so not only will it be a fun-filled day for families, with a fantastic range of entertainment and activities to enjoy, but it will also support both the local economy and local charities.”
The centrepiece of the carnival is undoubtedly the parade, which sets off at 1pm from Market Car Park.
The procession will pass through High Street, Broad Street, and Church Walk before arriving at Abbey Park.
Guests are encouraged to join in, either on foot or on of the motorised floats celebrating this year’s theme, ‘1952-2022: Inventions of the Past 70 Years’.
The Carnival started in its current form in 1968 following the drowning of a local child in the River Avon.
Residents came together to raise funds to build a new swimming pool, eventually opened by Princess Alexandra on King George Fields.
The Carnival continued to run annually, taking place each Spring Bank Holiday Monday.
Due to the Jubilee celebrations, this year’s carnival will take place earlier than usual but there is still just as much fun and excitement planned.
A funfair, farmers market, craft stalls and a static engine display will be open all day in Abbey Park.
The park will also host a bandstand with live music from 10:45am until 6pm.
The i-Sing Choir will open the show before performances from Kenal Corner, Vo Fletcher, Memphis Mike, Betsy Harmony, and Mel and Him.
There will also be a dog show, organised by the Blue Cross, which starts at 11:30am.
If that wasn’t enough, there will also be pony rides, ferret racing, circus skills, go-karts, a climbing wall, a Kick ‘n Stick, face painting and more.
There will also be a variety of demonstrations on activities such as rugby, tennis, Zumba and blacksmithing.
There is also the new inclusion of the Window Trail, with 18 local businesses taking part.
Councillor Julian Palfrey, Pershore’s Town Mayor, said: “It is absolutely fantastic to see the Carnival return after their absence over the last two years.
"This is a hugely important date in Pershore’s events calendar and attracts residents and visitors alike. I am looking forward to being a part of it.”
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