Classic cars, carnival queens and a horse-drawn wagon are all preparing to take to a town’s streets for a parade which has not been held since 2019.

So before it returns here is all you need to know about the revitalised Sittingbourne Carnival…

The summer season is prime time for the fun and colourful assortment of floats which make up carnivals across the country.

This year’s season is a special one for Sittingbourne as its streets will finally welcome back its historic parade on Sunday (August 25) after a five-year gap.

This was one of the longest stretches that the town, with its population of almost 63,000, had been without a summer carnival.

Only the First and Second World Wars could stop it in its 131-year history stretching back to 1893.

However, after the pandemic put a stop to the parades the late longstanding chair of the carnival Pam Griggs stepped down from her role after first getting involved in 1991.

Not wanting the town to be without its carnival, fitness instructor Kelly Kay took up the reins.

Pam sadly died in April and so was unable to see the return of the carnival but told KentOnline when Kelly announced the date of this year’s event last July that she was glad the mum-of-three had taken on the task.

She said: “I always have said that I did not want to be the last person who was able to put on the carnival and I was worried that would be the case.

“The carnival has always been for the town and has been put on by the people, for the people.”

Pam’s dedication to the event will be recognised this year with the Griggs Memorial Award for Best Association.

Kelly said: “It’s been a year-and-a-half in the making and there’s been a lot of hard work in the background.

“There wasn’t as much interest in the carnival as there had been for several years, and was part of the reason for the gap.

“Without people entering and watching the parade and volunteering their time we wouldn’t have a carnival.

“So I am hoping that the town comes out and supports the event.”

Where and when to watch the parade

The carnival procession will begin at 1pm on Sunday and will start at Milton Rec, at the Vicarage Road entrance.

From there it will head down Milton High Street onto Crown Road.

It will then pass the Stumble Inn and cross the roundabout going to Chalkwell Road before turning left onto A2 London Road.

The parade will travel up West Street and the length of Sittingbourne High Street and finish at the junction with Bell Road.

What you will be able to see

Some 40 entrants have been confirmed to be taking part.

There will be four bands including an Oompah Band, a traditional samba marching band, a sign language choir and the UK Paper Band Sittingbourne.

The latter group of 20 players will be squeezed onto a lorry which they have been practising for at The Appleyard with the exact measurements of the vehicle marked out with tables.

Altogether there will be nine lorries involved and the newly-revamped Sittingbourne Carnival Court float will finally grace the streets of its home town.

It had needed a complete overhaul after it had been left in the weather for years and had a broken roof, flat wheels, was rusting and infested with a huge wasp nest.

But after being renovated it has featured in other towns’ carnivals that the court has featured in over the last year.

Miss Sittingbourne, junior and deputy Miss Sittingbourne and two Sittingbourne Princesses will be on board.

Mafia Super Club is one entry to keep an eye out for with seven American Mustangs and a Ford Mustang dressed up as Disney’s Lightning McQueen.

There will also be dance schools, baton twirlers, gymnastic clubs and nurseries taking to the streets.

Sittingbourne High Street pub, The Red Lion, will also be taking part.

A horse-drawn wagon from Just Dandy Horse and Carriage Kent will be the method of transport for the Mayor of Swale Cllr Ben Martin and Miss Sittingbourne.

How to get involved

If all the talk about the carnival makes you want to take part then there is still a spot for you.

People can get involved with the parade with the Babes in Buggies entry.

This will be formed of people from the community who decorate their mobility scooters, wheelchairs, buggies and prams.

The carnival is also always looking for volunteers to help on the day.

If people want to join the parade but do not have an entry they can still take part.

Contact Kelly Kay via the Sittingbourne and District Carnival and Court Association Facebook page for enquiries.

Some 200 programmes are still available for purchase on the day before the carnival kicks off at Milton Rec and donations are welcomed.

Volunteers will be carrying collection buckets where any cash donations should be made. People should not throw coins onto the floats or at entries.

These funds will be used to pay for the next carnival.

Road closures

From 1pm until 5pm four roads will be closed entirely while three others will be closed partially.

Vicarage Road will be shut from the junction with Laxton Way to the junction with Milton High Street which itself will be closed partially.

This will be from the North Street junction to Crown Lane junction.

A2 London Road will be closed off from Chalkwell Road to West Street.

The latter road will be entirely closed as will Crown Road, West Street and High Street.