FELIXSTOWE will come alive this weekend as revellers flock to the resort to enjoy its biggest event of the year.It's carnival time and crowds of up to 20,000 are expected to line the streets to see the colourful cavalcade of decorated floats and fancy dress characters, bands and majorettes.

FELIXSTOWE will come alive this weekend as revellers flock to the resort to enjoy its biggest event of the year.

It's carnival time and crowds of up to 20,000 are expected to line the streets to see the colourful cavalcade of decorated floats and fancy dress characters, bands and majorettes.

Just as many are anticipated for the packed programme of events and celebrations in Langer Park and to watch displays over the sea.

Organisers have spent 12 months preparing for the three-day festival of family fun and now just have one thing on their minds - the weather.

"We are keeping fingers crossed and a close eye on the forecast, but we hope for some lovely sunshine," said carnival secretary Richard Stewart.

"Last year we had the hottest weekend of the year and everyone was melting. But as long as it stays fine and nice we will be happy."

Theme this year is Countries of the World, which should be colourful and provide plenty of scope for people to let their imaginations run riot.

The procession will again be the highlight and it sets off on tomorrow at 3pm from the Colneis Road-Grove Road-Beatrice Avenue roundabout.

Following complaints about the route of last year's parade, organisers have made some changes to its journey to ensure everyone has a chance to see it.

Led by carnival queen 16-year-old Hannah Devine and her princesses Lydia Carey and Keely Bremner, both 10, it will go straight down Beatrice Avenue into Hamilton Road, then past the cinema and into Highfield Road, turning into Orwell Road.

From Garrison Lane, it will make its way to the leisure centre roundabout and then all the way along Sea Road to Beach Station Road.

Carnival chairman Peter Nunn said it was quickly recognised after last summer's event that the procession route and fireworks had been problems, and action had been taken to improve both events.

But the decision to move the event back to Langer Park had been applauded.

"The feedback that was received was very, very positive and I now strongly believe that the carnival weekend has returned to its rightful home," he said.

Events on Langer Park will include a funfair, a cycle stunt show, musicians and bands, American wrestling, John Evans whose act will include balancing a mini car on his head, and popular tribute groups Abba Gold and Badness. There will also be a beer tent for the first time.

Fireworks will be set off from inside the park at 9.30pm on Sunday .

On the seafront on Sunday afternoon, there will be an air display by Nigel Willson in his YAK 52 and also by an RAF Tornado F3 fighter plane, and an air-sea search and rescue demonstration.

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TIMETABLE OF EVENTS

Friday August 6:

5pm - 11pm: Fun fair, Langer Park.

Saturday August 7:

2pm - 10.30pm: Fun fair, Langer Park.

3pm: Procession

5.30pm: Diamondback Trials Stunt Show.

6pm: T-Bone - reggae, ska and soul music.

7pm: Fun and games with the carnival DJ.

7.45pm: Abba Gold.

9pm: The Outfit - soft rock.

10pm: Disco.

Sunday August 8:

1pm: YAK 52 aerobatic display over the seafront.

1.20pm: Air-sea search and rescue demonstration off the end of the pier.

2pm: Aerobatic display by an RAF Tornado F3 fighter.

2.30pm - 11pm: Fun fair, Langer Park.

3pm: Diamondback Trials Stunt Show.

3.45pm: John Evans and The Balance of Power.

4.15pm: American wrestling.

5.15pm: Diamondback Trials Stunt Show.

5.30pm: John Evans and The Balance of Power.

6pm: SGR FM.

6.30pm: Novasouls - Indie and rock music.

8pm: Badness.

9pm: SGR FM.

9.30pm: Fireworks.

9.45pm: Titian Red - local band playing covers.

10.45pm: Disco.