RICHARD PARR With a week of sellout events behind them, organisers of Wells Carnival say everything is ready for today's colourful Carnival Day.

RICHARD PARR

With a week of sellout events behind them, organisers of Wells Carnival say everything is ready for today's colourful Carnival Day.

Thousands of people are expected to converge on the town to enjoy what is always seen as the event's highlight, which includes this afternoon's parade of decorated floats through the town.

Carnival committee chairman Patrick Weston says the week has exceeded all expectations, with capacity attendances.

“There has been a real family atmosphere during the week with residents and holidaymakers taking full advantage of the wide range of activities we have arranged.

“This fantastic response from the public makes all the hard work worthwhile and we are hoping for a fun-filled finale today,” he said.

It starts on The Buttlands at 11am with a activities, sponsored by the Crown Hotel, including a fancy

dress competition, finals of the Junior Town Crier competition, the RAF Waddington Voluntary Pipe Band, the Fakenham Academy of Dance and a variety of events for children.

The carnival parade will leave The Buttlands at 3pm and make its way around the town.

Mr Weston endorses a reminder by police that no buckets of water or hose pipes should be used in the parade.

A warning about not throwing water is included in the official carnival programme.

The police have said that if officers see buckets of water being thrown, verbal warnings will be given. If they are not heeded, those responsible could be prosecuted.

Tonight, the carnival continues on The Buttlands with a programme of live music beginning at 6.30pm with Abba tribute band Abba Fever playing.

There will also a best-dressed Abba lookalike competition, plus a performance by Vic Salter and Friends.

Tomorrow, the final day of the carnival will see a car boot sale on the Beach Road playing field starting at 7am.

In the afternoon, the Gallery String Quartet will be playing on The Buttlands from 2.30pm until 4.30pm.

The Carnival Open Bowls Tournament on the Town Green starts at 2.30pm and the annual RNLI Lifeboat Service begins on the quayside at 7.30pm.

The parade of carnival floats will leave The Buttlands, travelling along Mill Road, turning into Park Road and Theatre Street, passing along Glebe Road, proceeding along the Quayside, turning up Standard Road into Station Road and then heading back to The Buttlands.

t Behind-the-scenes efforts to get a mains power supply for Wells Carnival's live music on The Buttlands finally succeeded yesterday when the connection was made. The EDP and Wells town clerk Sharon Kingham had been talking to Powergen and EDF Energy to get the power connected in time for last night's live music event and today's carnival.

Carnival chairman Patrick Weston thanked the EDP and Mrs Kingham for their efforts in arranging for Powergen and EDF Energy to carry out the necessary work in connecting the mains power.

A Powergen spokesman said the company always tried to pull out the stops in emergency situations and go that extra mile for customers. EDF Energy apologised for the delay and said it was refunding the carnival organisers the cost of hiring the generators.t People visiting the carnival will see that EDP vendors will be on hand selling goody bags including money-saving 'Things to Do' coupons.

SATURDAY TIMETABLE

Activities kick off with the mini beast workshop at 10am, open to children and adults.

t 11am - Carnival Day entertainment, including events for children.

t Noon-2pm - Hoofbeat on The Buttlands and around the area.

Throughout the afternoon there will be appearances by Justo James, the clown.

t 12.30pm-1pm - Fakenham Academy of Dance.

t 1pm-2pm - RAF Waddington Pipe Band.

t 2pm - Arrival of the Carnival Queen.

t 3pm - The carnival parade of decorated floats moves off from The Buttlands for its journey around the town.

t 4pm - Trix & Six.

t 4.30pm - Finals of the Junior Town Crier competition.

t 5.30pm-6.30pm - The Saxophonics.

t 6.30pm - Live music including Abba Fever and Vic Salter and Friends.

All the above times are approximate.