Final preparations are being made for a bumper family fun event on
Clacton Pier.
The iconic seaside attraction is staging the special evening on August
20 with Clacton Carnival Association.
Rides will remain open until 9pm and there will be a host of children’s
characters and superheroes attending along with free live entertainment outside
the Boardwalk Bar and Grill.
The popular Octopus Ahoy art trail’s lovable mascot CJ will also be on
hand for selfies and photos with the kids, as well as the Carnival Bear mascot.
The idea of the Carnival Pier Night was put together after the street
procession had to be cancelled for the second year in succession due to Covid
restrictions.
The new event is also being staged as part of the celebrations of Clacton
and the Pier’s 150th birthday.
Pier director Billy Ball said the aim is to bring families together for
a special evening of fun – and to support the town’s hard-working carnival association.
“Through no fault of their own the procession will not be going ahead,
which is a bitter pill to swallow for the organising committee, residents and
visitors alike,” he added.
“It is very much a part of the calendar of summer events and always
pulls in large crowds who line the streets.
“We will be using our 6.5 acres of space to host an event for all ages
to enjoy and hopefully we can recreate some of that amazing carnival atmosphere
on the Pier.
“It is a further example of our efforts to support the local community
wherever and whenever we can.”
Paul Townend, chairman of the Clacton Carnival Association, said the
committee is looking forward to the new initiative.
“We were put in a difficult position because of the Covid regulations
and have had to scale down our normal programme,” he said.
“But a Carnival Pier Night will be a great new addition and we jumped at
the chance once it was offered to us.”
There will be special deals for those attending the event which runs
from 6pm until late and a donation will be made to the Clacton Carnival Association.
The children’s characters and superheroes are being provided by Ash-Lee
Entertainments of Southend.
The carnival association’s
Donkey Derby is also cancelled this year and to find out the very latest
information go to the carnival website, clactoncarnival.org
PHOTO by KEVIN JAY
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