FINAL preparations are underway for this year’s Walton’s Carnival and family fun weekend.

The event, which also includes a family fun weekend, is set to take place on August 17 and 18.

Walton Carnival Association’s chairman Paul Clifton and vice-chairman Fiona Knowles said a new committee has been working hard on ideas to help the event continue at a time when other carnivals are struggling.

They include a new permanent colour scheme for the seaside town’s carnival – blue and gold to represent the sea, sky, beach and sun.

It is also setting up a new website and has been hosting weekly cash bingo sessions at the Columbine Centre on Sundays at 6.30pm.

A spokesman said: “Times are becoming increasingly difficult for carnivals across the country.

“Associations struggle for volunteers, notably with our good friends at Clacton who sadly are unable to attend other carnivals with their own court.

“Our volunteers are working incredibly hard to avoid similar scenarios.

“For the majority of our volunteers this is their first time organising such an event and an incredibly steep learning curve.

“We intend for Walton carnival not to just survive, but to thrive. The new committee hopes to turn Walton Carnival into one of the more prestigious events in Tendring.”

This year’s carnival court is increasing to six members and an eye-catching open-topped carriage will transport them on the procession, which will be leaving the Naze Car Park at 2pm on Saturday, August 17, before travelling down to the seafront and ending on Bath House Meadow.

The theme for this year’s procession is music and performance.

The festivities will open at midday on the Saturday for food, drink, games, stalls and rides.

Following the procession there will be live music and entertainment including the final of the new Tendring’s Got Talent competition.

The first day will conclude with a reduced noise firework display on Bath House Meadow.

On the Sunday there will be at tug-of-war tournament at 11am and live music will be performed throughout the day as well as super bingo game with a £500 prize.

Find out more about volunteering, or to enter the talent competition at waltoncarnival.co.uk.