2012 has been a year of celebrations but it is not over yet... Dunmow’s crowd-pulling carnival is on Saturday September 15 with a host of entertainment to cheer.

The popular parade with a nursery rhyme theme starts its circular route at 1pm from the Church End entrance of the recreation ground and on its return a full progrmme of singing and dancing from town schools and organisations begins in the arena.

Stalls and sideshows including birds of prey plus funfair rides and licensed bar will feature across the field as well as the carnival’s famous burger stall, beer tent and tea and cakes marquee.

Entertainment goes up tempo from 6.15pm with soul singer Fil Straughan who has performed with a host of famous names

including Alexandra Burke followed by tribute act Wham Duran featuring classic 80s hits from Wham and Duran Duran.

As daylight ends a grand firework display will light up the sky from 8pm followed by Brothers of Soul singing the best of

Motown hits.

Procession committee chairman Keith Wheatcroft is hoping residents living along the carnival route will add to the party

atmosphere by waving flags and cheering from their front gardens.

The longer route was used for the first time last year after the carnival’s previous starting points in Station Road and

Flitch industrial estate proved too small to cope with the growing number of floats. More than 60 have registered to take part in the parade this year.

The route goes along The Causeway, North Street and the High Street before turning down Braintree Road and into

St Edmunds Lane.

Dunmow shopkeepers are supporting carnival day by decorating their windows linked to the nursery rhyme theme.