CHRISTCHURCH carnival organisers are putting the final touches to this year’s extravaganza.

The event, which takes place over the weekend of August 16 and 17, will see dance and drama and musical performances along with a fireworks display and the traditional carnival through the town.

On Saturday, August 16, there will be a range of activities taking place at Christchurch Quay including juggling, plate spinning and Diablo along with crafts and performances by the Kaleidoscope dancers and Freedom Fitness Zumba.

For the first time there will also be ferret racing and a wide range of stalls and refreshments including cream teas run by the Scouts.

Music will be provided by Southern Comfort, AsortofU2 and Ash, a Gary Barlow tribute act who appeared on the X Factor.

On Sunday, August 17, the PDSA dog show will take place at the Quay with entries from noon and the show at 1pm.

Classes will include waggiest tail, obedience, best rescue dog and the dog the judge would most like to take home.

The carnival procession will leave the Civic Offices car park at 2pm and make its way through the town to the quay.

Plenty of floats and entries are promised this year and will include cheeky pirate Jax Sparrow and a group of marauding Vikings.

And there will also be a chance for photographers to enter their best carnival pictures into a competition to win a cash prize.

Entry details can be found on the website at christchurchcarnival.co.uk or on Christchurch Carnival’s Facebook page.