LIKE many groups and organisations all over the town, youngsters at a Felixstowe youth centre are busy getting ready for the resort's biggest event of the year - the carnival parade.

By Richard Cornwell

LIKE many groups and organisations all over the town, youngsters at a Felixstowe youth centre are busy getting ready for the resort's biggest event of the year - the carnival parade.

High school kids have been teaming up to make the float for the Level Two centre, getting all the decorations prepared so they can be fitted to the float on Saturday morning.

This year's theme is Mardi Gras, which organisers hope will let imaginations run riot and provide a colourful spectacle.

Youth worker Ant Cartwright said the youngsters had lots of good ideas and had been having great fun.

He said: “Everyone is looking forward to the carnival and Level Two loves to be involved in the event.”

Felixstowe Carnival procession sets off at 3pm on Saturday from Beatrice Avenue through the town centre, then Highfield Road and Orwell Road, down to the seafront.

After making its way along Sea Road, it will end in Micklegate Road.

Carnival Queen 16-year-old Jeyda Yilmz , and her two princesses - Ela Merry, ten, and Rachael Ray, seven - and a prince, Nathan Chapman, six, will lead the cavalcade.

Carnival secretary Sandie Doran said: “We still have a lot of last-minute items to attend to but everything will be OK and I feel sure we are going to have a great weekend.

“We understand the weather is going to be sunny and really nice but as long as it is dry we will be happy.

“There is plenty for all the family to enjoy and its Felixstowe's 75th carnival so there is plenty to celebrate.”

Langer Park will have a variety of attractions, including the funfair, beer tent, children's entertainment area with Punch and Judy and magic shows, Inflatable World and giant games zone.

Music during the carnival weekend - supported by the Evening Star - will include leading Queen tribute band The Bohemians, The Glambusters, Beatles' tribute Words and Music, Badness, and Storm. There will be fireworks on Sunday at 9.30pm.

Carnival programmes are available from the Evening Star office at 172 Hamilton Road, Felixstowe.

Entrance to the park is £3 adults and £1 children over six-years-old. Family tickets (two adults and two children) are £5 for one day. All tickets are available from the Tourist Information Centre, Undercliff Road West, Felixstowe. At the park entrance people will be given wrist bands to wear to show they have paid.