FLOATS will be pumping up the volume at Felixstowe Carnival this summer because music has been chosen as the event's theme.Eleven-year-old Kathryn Hawtin chose the theme and is hoping all the entries in the big parade will be making melody and a joyful noise as they pass through the resort on carnival day.

FLOATS will be pumping up the volume at Felixstowe Carnival this summer because music has been chosen as the event's theme.

Eleven-year-old Kathryn Hawtin chose the theme and is hoping all the entries in the big parade will be making melody and a joyful noise as they pass through the resort on carnival day.

Kathryn, a pupil at Colneis Junior School, Colneis Road, Felixstowe, was one of dozens of youngsters to enter a competition to suggest a theme and create a poster showing their ideas.

Carnival secretary Richard Stewart said: "The association decided Kathryn's idea for the theme would allow all entrants to the procession to have a very general basis on which to decorate their floats and themselves."

People will be encouraged to think about the whole spectrum of music – not just the sounds, but the bands, singers, musicians, composers, fads and fashions, and to look at music old and new.

Mr Stewart said plans for the carnival weekend – August 8, 9 and 10 – were well advanced and procession entry packs would be available this week.

Last year's entrants will automatically receive a pack and it was hoped many more would join in the cavalcade – one of the largest in the region – and forms would be available from Alford Brothers and Marshall Warren, both in Hamilton Road, or on 01394 670800.

The carnival is this year moving from its seafront site and returning to the home it enjoyed for many years, Langer Park.

The park, where many carnivals were held from the 1960s to the 1980s, will host the fun fair and other attractions, live music and displays.

Other events will include a display by an RAF Jaguar jet fighter display off the seafront, plus a joint demonstration by the Coast Patrol group and an RAF Sea King search and rescue helicopter.

"The carnival programme is nearing completion and every household in the area will receive it along with a pull-out events timetable giving all the details of the weekend," added Mr Stewart.

WEBLINK: www.felixstowecarnival.co.uk