Douglas Carnival is nearly here and there are still ways to become part of what’s set to be the biggest fun-filled family event of the year on Saturday July 18th.

The organisers need more volunteers to help with the road closures so if you’re able to offer even just a couple of hours of your time, get in touch with town centre manager Michelle O’Malley on 696304.

And there’s still time to enter the Bins of Glory Wheelie Bin race, too. An opportunity for teams to show their creative side and compete in a bespoke bin…but there’s no time to ‘waste’ if you want to take part, so check out douglascarnival.im for entry forms and race rules.

While the main event starts around 7pm there’s action from 2pm in the Bottleneck car park with live music from Soundcheck and some family-type attractions on the Promenade walkway. Come the evening it’s carnival time with the Hospice Isle of Man Colour Me Rainbow run at 6.45pm followed by those Bins of Glory at 6.55pm before the carnival parade starts at 7pm.

And what a parade. Around 45 entries featuring more than 550 individuals will showcase the Manx community at its most diverse, from the Isle of Man Chinese Association to the Manx Rainbow Association, Royal British Legion to the Home of Rest for Old Horses, Segway Isle of Man to the Unified Filipino Community… and bands - lots of bands - dancers, vintage transport and much more.

Later in the evening there’s the official post-carnival family event when the Manx Youth Band and Manx Concert Brass present ‘Movie Madness’ in the Villa Marina’s Royal Hall. (Tickets from the box office: 600555, villagaiety.com).

Then the carnival carries on into the night with the after party in the Bottleneck car park with a Bushy’s bar and live music from Looney and the Vikings, 3 Million and closing act Buncha Skankers.

Saturday July 18th. The day the capital does carnival.

For more information check out douglascarnival.im or contact Michelle O’Malley, 696304, MOMalley@douglas.gov.im.