The 66th annual Ringwood Carnival takes place this Saturday.

The popular event will see two processions, food and charity stalls, vintage steam engines, a funfair and fireworks.

Here’s our guide to this year’s event and its history

When did Ringwood Carnival start?

Ringwood saw its very first carnival in 1929. It was originally set up to fund the purchase of a certain field from local man Mr. Carver, as well as to raise monies for the Royal Victoria & West Hants Hospital.

Carnivals followed in 1931 and 1934, when the Coldstream Guards marched through the town in full dress uniform. The first carnival after the war was in 1950 and has continued every year since. The carnival now acts as a focus for the local community and charitable groups.

What makes this year’s event so special?

For 65 years the Sampson Percheron horses have been undertaking the most important job at Ringwood Carnival; leading the horse-drawn carriage that carries the Carnival Queen, Attendants and Princesses. The Sampson family started the tradition of pulling the Queen’s carriage in 1949 – only missing one year during the war, making it the 65th year that Ringwood gets to see the Sampson’s horses lead both carnival processions.

When are the processions?

There are two to choose from; one at 2pm and another at 7.15pm. The parade leaves from Parkside Industrial Estate and running all the way down to the Market Place, where it circles the VIP Members’ enclosure. Roads will be closed for the afternoon procession between 1.30pm and 4.15pm and then again from 6.30pm until 9.30pm for the evening parade.

What’s happening?

There will be food and charity stalls, workshops and demonstrations, miniature static steam engines and face painting on The Bickerley between 12pm and 5pm.

Both processions will feature carnival royalty, the AM Car Club and Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, Chinese Dragons, steam traction engines, marching bands, majorettes and more.

Alam’s Fun Fair will be at The Bickerley from 6pm to 10pm on Friday, then from lunchtime until late on Saturday.

A firework display takes place at The Bickerley at 9.30pm on Saturday.

Who is this year’s carnival royalty?

Carnival Queen is Amy-Louise Hasted and the Queen’s Attendants are Alanna Bingham and Molly Peters. The carnival royalty will take part in both carnival processions on Saturday at 2pm and 7.15pm. The carnival princesses are Lucy Taylor and Casey Howson.

What happens to money raised at the event?

All monies raised on the day (around £5,000) are donated to local charities, supporting the local community. Many organisations donate year after year to ensure this special event takes place.

Visit www.ringwoodcarnival.org for more.