CARNIVAL time comes back to Watchet over the weekend of July 24 to 26 with three days of free family entertainment, expected to bring hundreds of visitors to the town.

This year’s event will not have its traditional procession, but instead provides a packed programme including everything from BMX displays and samba workshops to pipe bands, cheerleading, and a wide range of stalls, food and drink, and day-long street entertainment.

A highlight of the Saturday programme will be a display of breathtaking stunts by the Global Stars aerobatics team from 5.15 pm to 5.45 pm.

The fun starts on the Friday night with the traditional ‘Music and Song’ concert on the Esplanade from 7 pm to 9 pm featuring Watchet Community Choir and West Somerset Brass band.

Saturday’s fiesta, based on the Esplanade from noon to 8 pm, will provide non-stop entertainment showcasing pop/rock band Ooshka Baby, folk band the Hoodies, cover specialists The Kingstons, Fine Whines vintage jazz duo, Minehead Samba, and folk music ensemble Rolling Home.

Children’s entertainment will come from Mike and the Musical Bike and street magician Ozzy D.

Sunday’s carnival fayre, on the recreation ground from 12 pm to 5 pm, will be a family day providing children’s entertainments and rides, and a wide range of attractions for all ages.

The fayre starts with Ben Prescott Entertainment and the Bideford Youth Pipe Band, followed by Sovereign Nature, an environmental story-telling project.

The Four Foot Four folk band will perform in the football clubhouse before the Savage Skills BMX and MTB Stunt Show, which features a blend of freestyle BMX riding, mountain-boarding, and acrobatics.

South Coast Waves Cheerleaders, a Washford-based acrobatic group with a large local following, will give two performances during the afternoon.

The group has won a place in the finals of the world cheerleading championships in America next year.