Beccles gets set for weekend of carnival fun

Action from last year's Beccles Carnival parade (Image: Archant)

The entertainment will kick off on Saturday at Beccles Quay with the annual teddy bear parade, leaving the quay bridge at 12.45pm, led by Miss Beccles Evangeline Robinson and her two princesses Sophie Sampson and Emma Rusted.

Then from 1.45pm there will be a children's fancy dress competition in the main arena, with registration from 1.10pm next to the main stage, a bonny baby competition (subject to change) at 2.25pm for children up to twenty-four-months, with registration in front of the the main stage from 1.50pm, a glam gran competition, back by popular demand, at 3.05pm, and children's races from 3.15pm.

New for this year is a performance from the Jive Bunnies who will be entertaining the crowds from 3.55pm. Admission is a 50p donation.

Saturday evening will see the launch of Beccles Quay Rocks, kicking off at 6pm with The Anyones. They will be followed by mother and daughter duo Company D at 7pm, Heidi McRoberts at 8pm and Skarlett at 8.45pm, before Gifted Circus play the final set from 9.45pm. There will also be a fun fair, stalls and a beer tent running across the weekend and entry is a 50p donation.

Then on Sunday more than 40 entries will take part in the carnival parade, leaving Roys of Beccles car park via Gosford Road at 1pm. The parade will make its way up Station Road and through the town centre, down Saltgate and Northgate, ending at the quay.

After the parade there will be a static car and steam display, along with entertainment from the Lowestoft Signing Choir at 2pm, Caroline Yardy's Zumba display at 2.35pm and the Samboomba Band at 3pm. At 3.30pm the Woodton Lady steam engine will take to the main arena, then from 4pm Tom Elgie will be performing a live swing set. The carnival weekend will close at 5pm with a display from Lowestoft dog agility.