IF you feel in a carnival mood on Saturday then why not join in the parade?
Organisers of Northwich Carnival are inviting anyone with a fancy outfit and a desire to let their hair down to join in the colourful funfest as it clowns and dances its way through the town.
Carnival spokesman Barbara Turner said: 'The parade is bigger than ever this year, but there is still space for more so if anyone would like to enter one of the contests or just put on a fancy outfit and walk in the parade, they will be made very welcome.'
The cavalcade starts from Denton Drive at 1pm and is expected to take an hour to reach Verdin Park where the rest of the afternoon's spectacle takes place. Dozens of rose queens and dance troupes from all the North West have been invited to take part.
Star of the show this year is Weaverham teenager Samantha Mainwaring, 14, while town mayor Tom Davies, whose daughter was queen during centenary year 1988, has been invited to open the event. The crowning ceremony will be performed by the carnival committee's oldest member Doris Royle, 91, who has helped raise thousands of pounds for charity by selling raffle tickets over the years.
There will be displays of Tae Kwan-do and cheer leading and a performance by Quicksteps School of Dance, music from the bands, troupe dancing until dusk, and all the fun of Manders Fair.
The carnival continues on Sunday with a giant family fun day boasting a variety of attractions including a novelty dog show, bonny baby contest and car boot sale.
There are still spaces available for the car boot sale which kicks off at 8am - £6 for cars and £8 for vans. Entries for the dog show will take place from 11am onwards and the judging starts at noon. There are a dozen classes including a search for the best dog and owner 'lookalikes', the dog with the waggiest tail and the prettiest pooch and scruffiest mutt. Entries for the bonny baby competition start at noon with judging scheduled for 1pm. There are four classes - babies 12 months and under; babies 13 to 23 months and separate classes for boys and girls aged between two and three years.
All the proceeds raised from the carnival will go to Northwich's Victoria Infirmary and a huge raffle has been organised.
