Showcase your group through this year’s Leighton-Linslade virtual carnival arena

Leighton-Linslade Carnival was due to take place on Saturday, July 11, with the theme of Animals.

But although the coronavirus pandemic has scuppered the main event, organisers are stepping up moves for online celebrations instead.

The LBO recently reported how plans were being developed for a virtual procession instead, with children asked to design a float on a lorry template which will be distributed across the town in booklets and leaflets.

Once sent to the committee, the artwork will be used to create the online procession on the carnival website leightoncarnival.moonfruit.com and Facebook page.

Now local groups are also being asked to come forward to take part in the virtual arena entertainment.

Carnival committee chairman Mark Freeman is appealing for local groups to submit videos of themselves performing by mp4 file or YouTube clip to [email protected].

He said: “We have decided to try to run a carnival online. This is something we have never attempted before, so we will be learning as we go.

“We will timetable videos of local groups showcasing their talents and giving them some exposure to the public.

“Depending on how many groups take part is what time we will start these running.

“The intention is to publish a timetable, as we would for the arena, and have scheduled posts set up to spread through the day. There is opportunity for more groups to take part this year as performance slots will probably be shorter, and we won’t have the same start and finish limitations that we normally have.

“Also, this is an opportunity for groups to perform that would find open air performances difficult. We are happy, should time permit, to put more than one performance up for groups.”

> If you have any queries, send an email to [email protected] Facebook: @leightonlinsladevirtualcarnival2020