ANDOVER will celebrate 100 years of the town’s carnival later this year, with what is expected to be the biggest procession in recent times.

Preparations are well underway for ‘one of the biggest events’ in the town’s calendar, which will take place on Sunday, July 21.

One of the organisers, Kevin Rush said: “It is the 100th year, as far as we can tell, as we have records going back to 1924.

“We’ve got more sponsors than we’ve had in a very long time. We’ve got more lorries – it’s looking like it is going to be the biggest procession in a very long time."

READ MORE: David Borrett feature: The first carnival after the Second World War 

Andover Advertiser: There was plenty of fun to be had at Andover CarnivalHe added: “We’ve got 17 floats at the moment, but we’ve got the capacity for more than that. We are secretly hoping we can get to the 20 mark.”

Along with the procession, entertainment will also take place in Vigo Park from 12-9pm, as it has done in previous years, with Kevin saying that the line-up for the stage is ‘almost full’. Acts will be announced on the carnival’s social media.

Organisers have also teamed up with InAndover, from Andover BID, which will put on performances and other activities in the high street from 12pm to 4.30pm.

A number of the organisations taking part in the procession are returning from 2023, and they include schools, businesses, charities and community groups, including the Scouts and Guides.

“It is one of the biggest events of the year, everybody loves the carnival – it sells itself,” Kevin added.

SEE ALSO: 23 of the best photos from all the fun at Andover Carnival

Heading up the parade will be the Pride of Andover winners, who will be taken around the route. The procession will start at 4pm and end at Vigo Park at 5.45pm.

This year’s charities have also been chosen. Kevin said: “We have chosen Purple Oak Support and hopefully we are going to raise enough to pay for the refurbishment of one of their gardens.

“We will also be supporting Girlguiding Andover Division. There are less fortunate young girls who can’t afford or don’t have the ability to get involved, so we want to be able to help 20 to 30 girls to go through the system for the whole year.”

To celebrate the centenary year an afternoon tea is planned to be held in the Chantry Centre on Sunday, April 21 – 100 days before the carnival – for former carnival princes and princesses, along with sponsors.

Organisers will also be sharing old photos of the carnival in years gone-by in the run up to this year’s joyous affair.

There is still room for pitches in the park and places in the procession, email carnivalkev@hotmail.com for more details.