THE programme for this year's Tavistock Carnival has now been finalised by the town's Lions Club, with more than 20 events planned for the week and a special guest star attending the fun day in the Meadows. Carnival week starts on Saturday, July 12 and includes favourites such as the baby show, the pavement artists' competition, the fun day in the Meadows and the traders' skittles competition, but three afternoon events have been added this year and these will take place in the Bedford Hotel. On Monday, July 14 there will be a cupcake workshop, on the Wednesday a presentation by the National Trust and another presentation featuring Tavistock characters and the Jim Thorrington photographic collection on the Thursday. Evening events in the Bedford Hotel will include a summer BBQ party and talks on wine and cheese by Charles Steevenson Wines and Country Cheeses, with opportunities to sample the fare on offer. During the fun day in the Meadows on Sunday, July 13 the new carnival princess, Emilia Barrett, attended by Ella Baker and Kina Massey, will be crowned and Eastenders actress Emma Barton, who plays Honey Mitchell in the soap, will be be present at the crowning ceremony at 3pm. The summer sounds music festival will take place in the town hall on the first Saturday featuring local groups, including Orangutan Wheelbarrow, while the Stannary Brass Band and Blowzone will perform during the midweek concert in the church. The theme for this year's procession, on Saturday, July 19, is 'Yer Havin' a Laugh'. There are five main classes, the first two being artistic and humorous with the prize money offered as £100 for first place, £70 for second and £50 for third. The other three classes are for walkers only. The first class is for groups numbering no more than six‚ ideal for individuals, families or groups of friends. The second walking class is for groups of seven or more and the third class is any number of walkers accompanying a decorated vehicle. The prizes for class one are £40 for first place, £30 for second and £20 for third, and for the other two classes the prizes will be £50 for first place, £40 for second and £30 for third. All entries are also judged for their interpretation of the theme, for which there is a prize of £100 and a trophy, and all class winners are eligible for the top prize of £150 and a trophy awarded to 'Best in Procession'. All participants, apart from trade, will receive a donation from the street collection, which last year raised just under £2,170. Full and final details of all the events will be published in the Times, on the Lions Club website at http://www.tavistocklions.org.uk">www.tavistocklions.org.uk on the club's Facebook page and in the Carnival Mardi Gras magazine, which will be hand-delivered by club members around Tavistock. Club members are confident that it will be a great week and look forward to seeing well-supported events as all the money raised during the carnival is distributed to local organisations, groups and charities.