ORGANISERS say this year’s Astwood Bank Carnival is set to be one of the best yet.

The well-anticipated carnival weekend starts on the evening of Friday, July 7with the popular Barn Dance taking place in the Carnival Marquee from 7.30pm at Carnival Field, Sandhills Farm with music from the ‘Life of Riley’.

Astwood Bank community group vice chair Matt Connor-Hemming said “We first held the Barn Dance in 2017 and it has now become a much-loved village tradition the evening before the Carnival.

“The last two years have been a sell-out event with everyone enjoying dancing into the night.”

Tickets can only be purchased in advance online at www.astwoodbankcg.co.uk/barn-dance.

On Saturday, July 8, Carnival Royalty will lead a succession of floats, bands and walking groups honouring the carnival’s theme of ‘Going to the Movies’ to the carnival showground at Sandhills Farm from the streets of Astwood Bank.

Redditch Advertiser: Carnival princesses- Maisey Woodward, Abi Lomas, Pippa Woodward and (front) Aiofe McCarthy. Carnival princesses- Maisey Woodward, Abi Lomas, Pippa Woodward and (front) Aiofe McCarthy. (Image: Astwood Bank Carnival.)

The showground is set to be packed with stalls and trade stands, an inflatable obstacle course, an animal corner, fairground attractions, pony rides, a dog show, and a car show.

This year there are two headline acts for the entertainment The Stanage International Stunt Team and Neil Varney’s team of Twistmount Gundogs will be on show.

Astwood Bank Community Group chair Ashley Hewitt: “Carnival weekend, along with all the other events and activities that we organise throughout the year, is all about bringing our community together and this year it is more important than ever following the pandemic.

“Whether it is the local businesses, schools, scouting groups, Operatic Society, Astwood Bank in Bloom, or many of our worthy locally based groups and charities, it is a real celebration of our wide community.”

Rounding off the weekend of festivities will be the Carnival Finale being held at The Why Not Inn from midday on Sunday, July 9 with performances from David Lloyd the Music Man, face painting, kids entertainment along with an outside bar and BBQ.