The Bacup and Stacksteads Carnival will take place on Sunday

The Bacup and Stacksteads Carnival will go ahead on Sunday, June 25, and will see a pirate-themed carnival procession make its way through the town before residents are invited to enjoy a fun-packed afternoon in Moorlands Park.

The procession will leave Broadclough Mill, Burnley Road, at 11am and proceed into the town centre, then in to Market Street, Park Road, New Line and into the Stubbylee and Moorlands parks.

Stalls, funfair rides, inflatables, a football challenge, and much more will be set up in Moorlands Park all organised by Bacup and Stacksteads Carnival Organisation, BASCO.

Runner up - Carnival procession 2022 – photo by Bernard Tighe. (Image: Photo by Bernard Tighe)

When the parade arrives, the Mayor of Rossendale Councillor Andrew Walmsley will officially open the event and present the prizes to the best two parade entries.

Parade organiser and BASCO treasurer, Jackie Oakes, said: “We would like to thank everyone who has entered the parade this year.

“For the first time, we don’t just have the Beavers, Cubs and Scouts in the procession but also Rainbows and Brownies, while on Moorlands we have Guides and Explorer Scouts having stalls.

“Last year we were surrounded by dinosaurs and this year the parade will be packed full of pirates.

"Thanks to everyone who has got involved and please line the route to cheer everyone who has entered.

“Thank you to Army Cadets who have volunteered to help litter pick the route on the Saturday.”

There is a packed stage full of free entertainment from dancers to drummers, Britannia Coconutters to theatre productions, belly dancers and 83-year-old dancing great-grandmother Dorothy Salt, who will be raising money for Cancer Research UK.

There is also a special pirate-themed routine from Cotton Shed Theatre.

Park Organiser and BASCO chair, Catherine Smyth, added: “Thank you to everyone who helps to make the carnival happen.

"We have a small committee, but a large number of on the day helpers without whom this event would not run as smoothly.

“There are a lot of stalls to site in the morning, hundreds in the procession to organise and assemble and a lot of behind-the-scenes work goes into to making the day a success.

Runner up – Carnival procession 2022 – photo Jamie McKay (Image: Photo Jamie McKay)

“We produce a free programme which has been given out to school children and people in Morrisons while we have been selling prize draw tickets; thank you to all the businesses that donated vouchers.

“Please come along on the day, cheer the procession, support the stalls and attractions and enjoy a fabulous afternoon of free entertainment on the stage.”

A Capture the Carnival photographic competition is being held where people are being asked to submit three individual pictures of the event to info@basco.org.uk to be in with a chance of winning a first prize of £50 or two runners up prizes of £25, sponsored by Danielle and Darren’s Childminding Services, Stacksteads.