THOUSANDS of people are expected to line the streets for the revived Colchester Carnival today (Saturday July 16).

The carnival, sponsored by Weston Homes and backed by the Gazette, is set to feature some 700 people and will start from Abbey Field at 5pm, going via Butt Road, Headgate, Head Street and High Street, finishing in Castle Park.

There will be be evening entertainment in Castle Park.

For logistical reasons, some parts of the carnival will start from Headgate, so organisers suggest if people want to see the whole parade, it is best to catch it in Head Street or High Street.

Highlights include Old King Coel and the Town Trumpeter, the Town Watch, Colchester District Pipes and Drums, the Indian Rickshaw with the local heroes, and Destination Colchester with Nepalese Dancers.

At the Bunting Rooms in Essex Street from 2pm to 5pm there will be a free African Djembe drumming workshop for people aged from 16 to 25. Register for your free place at artisticdirector@colchester carnival.com

As well as the procession Carnival Day will also see a programme of music, dance and family fun in and around the streets of Colchester and in Castle Park taking place from 11.30am.

CULVER SQUARE

11.30am: Opening with the Town Watch and a chance to meet Colin the Dragon and Old King Coel.

11.40am: Street Poet Mark Brayley comperes, starting the entertainment off with Funky Voices.

12.15pm: Annies Fantasies, Colchester’s traditional clog morris dancers.

12.50pm: Operatic arias from Corrina Dolfo.

1.15pm: Akula Tribal Belly Dancers.

1.45pm: Lady Bird And the Larks.

2.30pm: The Carol Gale School of Dance.

3pm: The Meddlars.

3.45pm: The Hat Check Honeys.

LION WALK

11.30am: Akula Tribal Belly Dancers.

Noon: Lady Bird and the Larks.

12.30pm: Carol Gale School of Dance.

1pm: Slum Poet Fred Slattern.

1.15pm: The Meddlars.

1.45pm: Annies Fantasies.

2.15pm: Valentines School of Dance.

2.45pm: The Gitane Hot Club.

3.30pm: Funky Voices.

LUSH, SIR ISAAC'S WALK

There’s clog, morris, belly and street dancing, and live music at Lush in Sir Isaac’s Walk.

The line-up includes: 11am: Grasshopper.

11.30am: Harmonise.

12pm: The Medlars.

12.30pm: Graham Tidd.

1pm: The Hat Check Honeys.

1.30pm: Dinosaur Blues.

2pm: Tea Time Assortment.

2.30pm: Paul Riley and Carole.

3pm: No Strings Attached.

3.30pm: Adam Hayes.

4pm: Shantyclear.

4.30pm: Jon, Richard and Mike.

CASTLE PARK

Plenty of activities will bring the park to life, including Colchester Rock Project with its own rising stars at the bandstand from 11am.

The two main stages will consist of: Hollytrees Meadow...

11.15am: A Colchester Villa FC training session.

12.30pm: Best Foot Forward, with creative, street and contemporary dance styles, as well as other art forms.

12.45pm: Laura Rampton School of Dance.

1.30pm: Colchester United Trust football practice.

3pm: Diversafit Zumba dance and fitness workshop.

3.30pm: Stagecoach.

7pm: Colchester Pipe and Drum Band.

7.30pm: The Great Samba Econtro with Boudica Samba, Essex Samba and Suffolk Samba.

Castle Stage...

11 am: Vixation.

12.15pm: ADP Stage School.

1pm: Jazzhands.

1.30pm: Exaltation Choir.

2pm: Stagecoach.

2.45pm: Harmonise.

3.15pm Bactrakin.

4pm Gitane Hot Club.

7pm Funky Voices.

8pm Rainbow Reggae with Darien Prophecy.

Both stages will be closed from 5pm to 7pm during the carnival procession.

MONDAY'S GAZETTE: CARNIVAL PICTURE SPECIAL