BAILDON Carnival is returning this year, and organisers are saying tomorrow's event will be "bigger and better than ever".
After the Covid pandemic meant that events could not go ahead in 2020 and 2021, tomorrow's Baildon Carnival will take place from 2pm to 5.30pm on the Jenny Lane Fields.
A parade to the fields will kick things off at 1.30pm with a starting point in the Ian Clough car park, on Hallcliffe.
"It's our first carnvial in three years," said Matthew Wildman, chairman of Baildon Carnival. "It's going to be the biggest and best event ever.
"It's run by the community," he said. "Baildon has really come together to make this happen. It's at the heart of the community.
"There will be more stalls and more attractions and it will be our biggest ever parade."
And with it being a large event for Baildon, organisers and volunteers are pulling out all the stops.
While there is usually a charge for the carnival, to help bring people back Mr Wildman said: "We're able to make it free because we've received a reasonable grant for communities from Baildon Town Council and local ward councillors who have been working hard for us. Their efforts are greatly appreciated."
In addition to free entry, Mr Wildman said: "We've invested in making it a long-lasting event. We've purchased some infrastructure including fold-away seating to allow people to sit down while their children and grandchildren play.
"We want to make it a nice day for everyone."
In breaking with the tradition of having a carnival queen, organisers are introducing a more inclusive approach to involve local schools.
"In this day and age, not everyone has a carnival queen anymore," said Mr Wildman. "All four Baildon primary schools will have a school ambassador, a boy or a girl, who will ride in a classic car in the parade."
The 2022 Baildon Carnival will include a number of stalls, fairground rides, bouncy castle, axe throwing, archery tag, terrier racing, Army Cadets shooting gallery and performances by local dance groups.
Mr Wildman said also back by popular demand is the Baildon Canter, a long-running traditional fell race organised by the Baildon Runners.
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