The final preparations are underway for Okehampton Carnival.

Tomorrow’s carnival, Saturday, October 17, will be whisking everyone back to the 1980s and 90s with participants – whether in the procession or the crowds – being invited to wave or wear something glowing.

The royal seal of approval has been granted to the parade with a young queen and her consorts preparing to wave regally to the crowds.

Spectators and participants are invited to wear bright and vibrant neon colours and don shellsuits, leggings, Big Hair, frizzy, Afro and mullet hair, disco music, jumpsuits and workout gear.

Carnival crowds may also spot Abba lookalikes, Only Fools and Horses or Top Gun, Ghostbusters and Back to the Future film characters.

The carnival organisers have been welcoming entries for both the evening procession and for the shop and business window decorating competition. There have already been many entries and numbers are up this year, says organiser Karen Penna.

“It’s looking really good for the procession and parade,” she said. “In fact it looks like there are already more than previous years. I think that’s because we cancelled the children’s afternoon event which wasn’t as popular as in the past. So, I think many people are putting more energy into the evening event, which is really encouraging.”

Karen is throwing herself into the carnival spirit.

“I’ll definitely be digging out a shellsuit for the occasion, although I didn’t have time to wear one and have fun back then because I was bringing up my kids in the 80s,” she said. “All the committee will be dressing up and some will be hunting down the shellsuits they did wear back then. It’s all about having fun.”

The Carnival Queen is Lilly Hendry, 12, and her cousins Amelia and Laila Chastey are princesses. Their royal float is being decorated by Lilly’s grandmother Karen Hendry.

Also taking part in the procession will be St John Ambulance, Okehampton Round Table, firefighters in their fire engine, Bideford Town Pipe Band, Kingdom of Rhythm Samba Band, Okehampton Excelsior Silver Band and Okehampton Young Farmers’ Club. Rob Pudner will be entertaining young families in Fore Street with his energetic interactive acts.

Any proceeds collected along the route will be donated to Okehampton youth groups.

Everyone assembles from late afternoon in Mill Road from the waterwheel at the bottom of Station Road, in St James Street, Park Row, the bottom half of Station Road and Kempley Road.

The procession heads off at 7:15pm, with the local fire engine leading the procession down George Street, along Fore Street, up East Street, on to Crediton Road, along Limehayes Road, down Exeter Road, down East Street, along Fore Street again and back up George Street.

Drivers are being warned there will be a road closure in place between approximately 6.30pm and 9pm. The intention is not to hold anyone up for long, but hold-ups are inevitable – so drivers caught up in the delays are advised to sit tight and enjoy the show as it passes by.

Spectators and drivers alike are asked to help make the carnival safe and successful by following the instructions of marshals at road closure points.

For more information about the carnival, you can message the organisers through their Facebook page or contact them on 07434 161606 or 07821 049538.