Otley residents are preparing to cheer on the colourful sights of the 2019 Carnival Parade.

This year’s carnival, one of the town’s biggest annual events, takes place on Saturday, June 15.

The fun will start in time-honoured fashion with a parade of imaginatively decorated floats and walking groups that is due to set off from Wharfedale Farmers Auction Mart, on Leeds Road, at 1.15pm.

The procession will also include a number of bands and dance groups along with vehicles carrying VIPs, including the retiring Carnival Queen and her successor.

Many of the town’s community groups, schools, youth and voluntary organisations and businesses will be taking part.

The carnival’s Press and Publicity Officer Nigel Gill is keeping his fingers crossed for good weather and looking forward to a busy day.

He said: “The parade will consist of both floats and walking entrants.

“Down at the carnival field, meanwhile, there will be various entertainment in the arena along with the usual mixture of stalls.

“We hope people watching the parade will give generously to our street collectors as the more we raise the more we can donate to our three benefactors.”

After the parade has wound its way down to the Carnival Field at Bridge End the entertainment will continue with fairground rides, stalls, giant inflatables, special displays and more.

The carnival raises money for a number of different good causes each year and this time proceeds will go to cancer charity Marie Curie, Chevin Socialites’ Hug on a Tray scheme and Springboard Wellbeing.

The winners of this year’s carnival Window Dressing Competition, meanwhile, have been announced.

Following judging on Sunday, June 9 Courtyard Planters, on Westgate, was named the Overall Winner for its display.

Otta’s Leah won the Large Window category with Peek A Boo coming second and Arundel Travel in third, while Ivy House Botanicals and Well Being were Highly Commended.

In the Medium class Payley’s Carpets and Flooring took the top spot with Aura Jewellery in second place, Cats Protection in third and Cancer Research Highly Commended.

And in the Small Window category Puffin Pottery were first, Grade I Hairdressing second and Wharfedale Embroidery third.

Mr Gill added: “Like all years Sue Bye and her team thought the standards were very high which made choosing the winners very difficult.

“All of the displays showed how shop owners are getting into the carnival mood and we would like to thank all the businesses that took part as they have brightened up our town in time for this year’s event.”