Countdown to Wells Carnival
Richard ParrThe countdown is continuing for one of the biggest weeks of entertainment on the North Norfolk coast.Richard Parr
The countdown is continuing for one of the biggest weeks of entertainment on the North Norfolk coast.
Wells Carnival is the highlight of the year in the popular resort and in the colourful programme of events there is something new, something old, something borrowed but definitely nothing blue.
Thousands of people are expected to converge on the town for the jolly jamboree which is launched on August 1, continuing until August 9.
The carnival is very much in the traditional seaside style with a week-long programme of family fun and events with the highlight being Carnival Day on August 8 which includes a colourful procession of decorated floats and people walking wearing fancy-dress . Traditional seaside activities include the sandcastle-building competition, gillying on the quayside and the crowning of the Carnival Queen.
The volunteer carnival committee is busy adding the final touches to this year's programme, having met many times since last year's event. The meetings have seen discussions and debates on what should be kept and what new events should be included.
The committee, under the chairmanship of Pat Weston and his deputy, Shirley Golding, has been working on the programme and at the end of each event funds are allocated to worthwhile causes in the Wells area.
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New in this year's programme will be a medieval day, the re-introduction of the raft race, an antiques roadshow and the hit movie, Mamma Mia, being shown in the open-air on a giant screen on the Buttlands.
Two events that proved popular when their were introduced last year were the beach party with music from a steel band and the funquay day when the harbour side takes on a Continental atmosphere with Norfolk-produced food and craft stalls filling the area which will be completely traffic free all day. Some spaces are still vacant for this event, There will also be a programme of entertainment.
Live music by bands including The Animals and Lee Vasey, workshops, exhibitions and guided tours of Wells all add to the variety of the programme.
'The committee have been busy all through the year putting together the programme and we think we have provided something for everyone. Wells Carnival has always had a strong emphasis on the family and there are events for children as well as for their parents. Again we have been supported by our generous sponsors, without whose support we could not stage such a busy programme of events,' said Mrs Golding.
More information about the event and details of categories in the Carnival parade can be found on the Wells Carnival website at http:// www.wellscarnival.co.uk/
