Hatherleigh Carnival returns this weekend after a gap of two years with flaming tar barrels, floats and live music but, in deference to covid concerns, no indoor judging.

Instead, those watching the evening procession are invited to vote for their favourite in the procession via the official carnival Facebook page.

A spokesperson for the carnival committee said: ’We would like to reassure the community of Hatherleigh and our visitors that while planning this year’s carnival we have taken numerous steps to reduce the risk of opportunities for close face-to-face interactions between attendees and avoid members of the public from gathering indoors, which we hope will mitigate some of the potential risk of Covid-19 transmission.

‘As such, we have made the difficult decision to suspend all judging for floats, walking guys and all other entries in both the afternoon and evening processions.

‘This removes the need to gather inside the community centre after the afternoon procession, and avoids unnecessary interaction between judges, entrants and marshals, and the handling of trophies as well.

‘We will still be offering refreshments for holders of the 2020 or 2021 Vice President’s badges. However this will be held either outside of the Old Schools or inside the square, so people do not need to gather inside the Old Schools.’

She added: ‘Attending this event is a personal choice, and we would encourage anyone who is uneasy about being in a crowd to consider spreading out along the procession route and watching the carnival from a less crowded street, as well as bringing and using your own mask and hand sanitiser where required.

‘Please do not attend if you have any Covid-19 symptoms. Hatherleigh Carnival Committee will continue to monitor the situation closely and follow any government guidance.’

Friday night will see the unlit barrels being dragged up through the streets by the town’s children at 8pm, immediately followed by live music in the square.

First up is funk and soul band Electric Spank, followed by The Fireblockers and headliner DJ Steve; Saturday will see the 5am run of the flaming tar barrels, followed by the children’s procession at 1:45pm; this is unjudged, but there will be a display held in the community centre car park.

The main evening procession leaves the top of Market Street at 7:30pm, to be followed by the second tar barrel run, before more live music from the massed bands, pirate-rock band Eat The Rich, James Monkman, and headliners Lionstar.

For the first time ever, the carnival will also be running a bar in the square – a ‘Bar-nival’! – so make sure to come along with your dancing shoes ready.

The carnival spokesperson added: ‘Due to unforeseen circumstances, this year we have had to alter the route that the flaming tar barrels will be run. The new route will begin at the top of Market Street, run down to the school via Market and Bridge Streets, up South Street, down High Street, and back down Bridge Street past Island Park to the new burn site.

‘In place of the usual judging of floats and walking guys in the evening procession, we are looking to hold a digital vote for the Jacky Entwistle Cup, which will be awarded to the entry that the public believe has the most ‘visual impact’.

‘The link will be posted on our Facebook page during the procession, and visitors will be asked to vote for which entry they feel is the worthiest winner. Look out for their numbers! Paper votes can be handed in to the Vice President’s stand outside Old Schools.’

See the full programme at www.hatherleighcarnival.co.uk