Burnham-on-Crouch Carnival, one of the biggest events of the year,  returns on Saturday offering action-packed entertainment and a spectacular procession of local floats in the evening.  

From 10am on Saturday, September 28 , you and your family are invited to enjoy the exciting daytime entertainment.

At 10.20am, there will be a tug of war in the main arena, followed by 999 races, a local dance school, live music, children's entertainer, circus workshop and children's fancy dress.

You can register your child for the fancy dress for free from 1.30pm and before 1.50pm with one of the Team in The Ship Car Park, and you will be escorted into the arena at 2pm. 

Categories include Under 5's, 5-8 years, Over 8's, Pairs, Groups, and Wheeled.

A 2023 photograph of fundraising pirates Marcelle Simpson and Lorraine Avery, alongside Deal's Carnival Court and members of the Burnham Pirate Association. (Photo: Ben Shahrabi)

There will be a number of stalls in the High Street also, so you can support small businesses while you party!

Stevens Funfair at Riverside Park will be open from Thursday, September 19 until Saturday the 28, with the exception of Monday through to Wednesday this week (23, 24, 25 September).

On Thursday and Friday the fair will be open from 5pm, and on Saturday's Carnival Day opening from 2pm, closing around 10pm.

From 7.30pm, the illuminated procession will begin from the clocktower in the High Street, before making its way up the High Street to Station Road Coop.

From there it will turn right into Devonshire Road, to Arcadia Road, before finishing at the bottom of Dunkirk Road into Orchard Road.

Carnival organisers have encouraged residents to keep these roads clear of vehicles, as the historically large procession makes its way through the streets.

This year's procession will include the 2024 Burnham-on-Crouch Carnival Court, consisting of returning Queen, Connie Lance, Princesses Honey Deakin and Sienna Smithstone, and Prince, Fletcher Ward. 

The procession will also mark the last ever performance of 'Rampage', the brightly coloured Brazilian dancer group who historically close off the procession.

Rampage, the much-loved Brazillian dancer group, will make a return. (Photo: Ben Shahrabi)

Road closures on the High Street will be in place from the junction of Chapel Road through to the junction of Riverside Road, from 7am to 10pm.

Cars not honouring this may be towed away from 7am, and from 5pm until 10pm for the rest of the procession route.

There will be no access to the High Street for any vehicle, with the exception of Emergency Services and Stall Holders.

There will be diversions from Chapel Road to Western Road/ Devonshire Road to access Riverside Road and Belvedere Road during this time.

The closures allow the Carnival teams to set up the main arena, stage and stalls, and keep those entertaining and those in the procession safe.

Free Parking is available throughout the day at St Mary's Church and Ormiston Rivers Academy.

Parking at Burnham on Crouch Train Station or The Marina will incur a charge, and you will need to follow the pay and display guidelines.

 HAPPY CARNIVAL WEEK!