A COLOURFUL procession of floats, walkers and bands will be wending their way through the streets of Tavistock in July when this year?s carnival parade entertains the town.
The theme of this year?s carnival is pastimes and leisure, which should provide scope for imagination or a simple option for entrants.
Music will be an important part of the week, which starts on Saturday July 10 with Jazz at the Bridge, an evening of outdoor entertainment, picnicing and live music at Harford Bridge Caravan Park.
The event follows the success of a similar evening last year by supporters of St Luke?s Hospice. It has been incorporated into carnival week, with part of the profits going to the hospice.
On Monday, there will be a folk evening at the Bedford Hotel featuring local groups and on Wednesday, July 14, a choir concert will be held in Tavistock Parish Church featuring guest choir the Burraton Male Voice Choir from Saltash.
A baby show will be held in the parish rooms on the first Saturday of carnival week and on the Sunday, there will be a fun day in the Meadows at which Kitty Austen, accompanied by attendants Yasmine Rich and Elanor Hollett, will be formally crowned as this year?s carnival princess. The fun day will also feature a family dog show, held under Kennel Club rules.
Children will get the chance to demonstrate their artistic talents in the pavement decorating competition on carnival Tuesday, when the paving stones outside Woolworth in Duke Street will provide the canvas for their efforts.
Lions spokesman Steve Grummitt said: ?The Lions are also very pleased to announce that, even though Bedford Square is no longer available for the carnival motor show, the event will still be going ahead as Safeway, part of the Morrisons family, have very kindly allowed the use of part of their car park for the show.
?This year, the show will run over three days, starting on the Wednesday, and to date, four dealers have committed to attend, including Ivybridge Motors with their range of Hyundai and Skoda cars, Rowes Honda and Riders Jaguar and Volvo.?
Also attending the show will be Yelverton Limousines, who have been helping Tavistock Lions by providing transport for the carnival princess.
?The Lions are confident that this event alone will raise nearly £2,000 for distribution to local charities.?
During the evening of carnival Friday, there will be a three-legged sponsored race around the town?s pubs ? look out for sponsor forms in participating pubs closer to the date.
Saturday July 17 is carnival day, with an all-day fair in Bedford Square.
Steve said: ?The parade starts as usual in Down Road at 6.30pm and will follow the same shortened route as last year, which proved very popular with walkers in the parade.
?Last year, the bucket collection during the evening of £2,514 was the best ever and the Lions are hopeful they can improve on it this year with the help of everybody in the town.
?There are substantial cash prizes for best in procession and best in carnival theme ? and donations are made from the overall profit to all groups and organisations taking part.?
Last year, Tavistock Lions supported Devon Air Ambulance to the tune of £2,500. This year, the club will be helping Tavistock?s Youth Café project as well as other local charities.