Let the sun shine on the 80th Kenilworth Carnival event...

[dutchman]

After months of uncertainty the waiting is finally over as Kenilworth Carnival weekend has arrived.

The committee is in high spirits but is just praying for the rain the stay away and for the crowds to descend on the 80th anniversary event.

Although the carnival committee has been put under immense pressure this year due to financial concerns, many businesses and members of the community have stepped up and become sponsors of the event and tomorrow (Saturday) morning 19 floats will assemble in Brays car park at Kenilworth Castle at 11am.

The prizegiving ceremony will take place at 12.20pm, and the procession at 1pm.

The entertainment in Abbey Fields will then begin at 2pm and will include The Crew, Best Foot Forward and Tommy Connelly’s Irish Dancers. There will also be the Carnival Grand Prize Draw, stalls, a pig roast and Wilsons Funfair, which will be running in the fields today (Friday) and tomorrow (Saturday).

Then from around 7.30pm on carnival day, The Kenilworth Centre will bring together some of the town’s top bands and vocalists in an open air rock concert and firework finale, organised by Wilson’s Funfair to celebrate its 60 years at the carnival.

A programme for the event, which costs 50p, is also available at Kenilworth library.

Anne Brough, carnival chairman, said: “We’re all really looking forward to the weekend now and hope it will be a great success.

“I just hope the fields dry out a bit and the sun shines on Saturday.

“We’re also really looking forward to the rock concert and fireworks display on Saturday night and hope everyone will come and join in the celebrations.”

The three main sponsors of the carnival this year are Leisure Concepts, Bob Wilson’s Funfair and Peugeot, as well as other sponsors such as C J Events Warwickshire who are carrying out the event’s traffic management.

It is hoped this event will raise thousands of pounds for charity.