THE Denbigh Carnival is set to return for the ninth time this summer as organisers hope for a memorable day in the sunshine.

After a record turnout last year, an 70s and 80s theme has been chosen for the 2020 event which is expected to flood Denbigh High Street with colour on Saturday, June 20. A procession of floats featuring community groups, carnival ‘royalty’, emergency services and performers will parade through the town centre.

They will be led by the traditional Welsh marching music of the Cambria Band towards Middle Park Field, where family attractions and activities are planned including funfair rides, live music, morris dancing and the annual summer edition of the Roll the Barrel youth competition.

There will also be face painting, inflatable castles and mini-jeep and quad bike rides for children, and beer, cider and wine tents for the grown-ups. A fancy dress and best float competitions is expected to attract more impressive efforts as in 2019.

Not to be missed are amateur wrestling matches and stilt walkers from Circus Cimera.

Catherine Jones, chair of Denbigh Events Group, said she is “excited” by the carnival theme this year. Planning is coming along nicely,” she said. “The carnival is going to be so colourful and full of song.

“We are however going further back than the 70s - a few million years to be exact as we will be having a special visitor. Suffice to say there will be more animals on the field than usual!

“The wrestlers will also be taking part in the parade as well as performing on the field this year.”

The vintage car show will again roll into town with 20th century motorbikes, tractors and trucks on exhibition. In recent years St John Ambulance displayed its First World War replica ambulance.

“The royalty has a new co-ordinator this year, which is exciting as she has lots of new ideas,” Mrs Jones added. “The royalty names will be drawn on Saturday, January 25 and the lucky children drawn out of the bag will be contacted next week.”

Entries include the ‘Tiny Prince’ for children aged under five, ‘Junior Princess’ aged five to seven, ‘Princes’ aged eight to 11, ‘Petals’ aged under five, ‘Rosebuds’ aged five to 11, and ‘Princesses’ aged eight to 11.