A VILLAGE carnival is to return this year - but not as you know it.

Unable to hold Kirkbride Carnival in its usual way, the parish council for the village has been forced to adapt its annual celebration to account for the coronavirus lockdown.

Kirkbride Parish Council is asking residents to decorate their homes and gardens, and is also encouraging people to dress up in festival attire.

“We’ve decided to do it mainly because we, as a village, love carnival day,” explained Kerriann Stamper, who is on the carnival committee for Kirkbride Parish Council.

“The whole village and surrounding areas come out in support, which is great for a small community.

“What we are suggesting is homes and/or gardens are decorated or families dress up in costume and enjoy the afternoon in their front gardens.”

Kerriann said this year’s event would be very different.

“Normally we would have floats and people dressed up holding a procession through the village,” she explained.

“But as we cant safely do that gathering we thought this would be the next best option rather than the day go by unmarked.”

The support from the community for the idea has been great, according to Kerriann.

“I’ve heard that some homes are doing mini traditional games in their gardens such as, hook a duck, bat a rat, tin can alley. Some are even getting candy floss,” she said.

“The school has reopened this week for some children and they are incorporating the carnival vibe into their day and making a wonderful display that will go out on the front railings for the day.

“A lady in the village has organised a treasure hunt for people to do, 50p a go, and they are kindly donating the funds to the carnival committee to help with future events that we organise.”

Awards will still be given out at this year’s carnival, but there’s going to be some changes.

“Normally we award trophies for the best large/small float, so this Saturday we will award the best garden and house displays,” said Kerriann.

“Unfortunately, though, we wont be able to crown the carnival Queen, so she will get her opportunity to shine next year plus an extra year to plan and design her float.”

Kerriann is encouraging everyone to be vigilant.

“Now that our wonderful village school has reopened, it is paramount that we encourage the social distancing on Saturday and stress the importance of families staying to metres away from others when viewing others gardens and not to gather in groups more than six, especially with children who are now going into the school, in order to protect them and our wider community, including our most vulnerable as up until now we have been extremely lucky in the village,” she said.

“We would hate to think a gathering would reflect badly upon the village and carnival for future years or cause distress towards others.

“Especially after all the efforts a lot of us have done helping others over the past two months.

“The aim of the day is to mark what would have been carnival day to keep the village bright and cheerful but most of all safe.

“So please please enjoy, but at two metres distance.”