ARTISTIC director Dorian Kelly is the man tasked with making Colchester Carnival a spectacular of colour and sound.

Mr Kelly co-founded Colchester Street Festival and ran it and the hugely popular Great Samba Ramble, which drew crowds to the High Street from 2000 to 2006.

His company, Illuminati, has worked across the UK since 1964 with showbusiness figures as diverse as Ralph Richardson, Marlene Dietrich, Spike Milligan and the Two Ronnies, as well as on arts festivals in Colchester.

After last year’s carnival shambles, the event has been reborn thanks to Colchester Round Table’s efforts.

Mr Kelly was thrilled to join the project and wants a carnival that will make the people of Colchester gasp with amazement.

He said: “I was delighted to get on board. The Round Table organisation is highly experienced at holding such events nationally and meeting organisational and safety aspects. “It is such an esteemed organisation that it will not fail. But, just as importantly, it is insisting on a quality of performance.

“They have told me as long as they are involved that never again will a carnival in Colchester consist of a row of cars with ballooons.’’ That is not to say the show on July 16, supported by the Gazette, will be in any way exclusive. It is free to enter for groups and organisations, with businesses asked to pay £100.

After costs, every penny will go to local charities – no one gets paid. Mr Kelly said: “The keyword is ‘community’ and everyone is welcome, even if just as part of the procession. But there is so much more people can do with a little effort and we will hold free workshops to show people how.

“It just takes imagination to make something special, it need not cost anything.

“We are asking friends, neighbours and business colleagues to join together and get involved, even if just to learn basic samba steps, throw together colourful costumes and follow one of the bands.

“We are also looking for people to enter traditional floats.

“But we realise it is difficult to find lorries and flatbed trucks, so people can simply push decorated shopping trolleys, with the supermarkets’ permission, pull boat trailers, push beds, anything that can be decorated and will make a visual impact.

“We have been in contact with local ethnic groups, who will bring their own magic to the event, and are going to community centres, schools and other organisations encouraging them to take part.

“Other towns manage to hold great events.

“Colchester has a superb reputation for artistic and musical creativity and there is no reason we cannot put on an event matching anything in the country.’’ Activities will take place throughout the day before a teatime procession, with a party in Castle Park in the evening.

Mr Kelly said: “This is going to be a real community occasion – we just need the community to come together.’’ Carnival secretary Dan Woodruff said: “Dorian is the ideal choice. He has so much experience of running events and creating spectacular sights and sounds. Most importantly, he’s lived and worked in Colchester for decades, so his local knowledge is huge.’’ Entry forms, information packs, advice about getting involved and sponsorship opportunities are available at colch estercarnival.com and gazette-news.co.uk/news/carnival/ The deadline for entries is June 24.