Final preparations are under way for the Beccles Carnival celebrations next weekend.

The event kicks off on Saturday, August 20, at Beccles Quay at 1pm with the annual fancy dress competition, along with the Beccles Baby Competition with age categories from newborn up to five-years old.

New for this year is the bake off competition which takes place from 1pm in the bake off marquee.

There will also be displays in the arena from Joe’s Bounce Fit and Xpressive school of dance, children’s races and a new fun dog show.

Saturday evening will see the return of Beccles Quay Rocks, kicking off at 6pm with The New Mojo’s, followed by Last Minute, a Lowestoft-based rock cover band. Headlining this year is Iconic, from the Beccles area, playing current music mixed with songs from the past six decades.

There will also be a fun fair, bouncy castle and a beer tent running across the weekend along with a variety of stalls to browse.

Event organiser Annette Tackley said: “The carnival is nothing without the people, so we really need local people to come and support it. The carnival brings people to Beccles and is a really nice, positive thing to promote our town and bring everyone together.”

Then on Sunday more than 50 entries will take part in the carnival parade, leaving Roys car park via Gosford Road at 1pm.

The parade will make its way up Station Road, through the town centre and down Northgate, ending at the quay at around 2pm.

After the parade, there will be a static car and steam display, along with entertainment from the TeenStar winner Breeze Redwine, the Samba Band, Caroline Yardy’s Zumba display, Framtastics Gymnastics Club, Crystalette Twirlers, Urban All Stars, Waggy tails dog display team and more.

Beccles Carnival parade organiser Denise Feek said: “Each year we rely on local businesses, clubs, societies, organisations, and individuals to spend a lot of time and effort preparing for their carnival float.

“And the quality and hard work shines through when thousands of people line the streets to watch the marching bands, majorettes, floats, walkers, vintage, and classic cars make their way around the historic route of Beccles town centre.”

Beccles Carnival 2016 programmes will be on sale all weekend from Beccles Quay bridge and the main stage area at the quay. They are also available in advance from Saxon in Beccles.

Programmes are priced at £1 and will give you entry to the carnival weekend. They also include application forms for all carnival competitions. Alternatively, admission will be via donation.

For more information visit www.becclescarnival.co.uk