COLCHESTER Carnival may not be going ahead this year but we have had a delve into the archives to bring you pictures from years gone by.
Colchester Carnival has supplied the city with fun and laughter over the years with brightly coloured floats, wonderful displays and lots of humour - all while raising thousands of pounds for good causes.
It was a special occasion and something for the whole family to enjoy - the embodiment of community spirit.
With some breaks in-between, the Carnival has been taking place for decades, and the last one took place in 2020.
From 2010 until 2016, it had been run by Colchester Round Table and Colchester Ladies' Circle.
When they decided to take a break, the city's firefighters stepped in to bring the event back to Colchester.
Together with some of the previous organisers and other individuals with business and events experience, they joined forces to form the new Colchester Carnival committee.
Traditionally, the carnival was held in July but during the carnival's more recent years, the firefighters decided to move it outside the summer holidays and opted for September instead.
The guiding principles of the committee were to create a fun-filled carnival full of sound, colour and activity, involving as many people representing a cross-section of the community, to reflect the best things about living and working in Colchester as well as supporting charities and those in need.
All profits are donated to charitable and worthwhile causes, whether that be from sponsorship or bucket collections on the day and between 2011 and 2016, the carnival raised over £40,000.
Paul Diggens, former station manager of Colchester Hospital Television Services and creator of the Colchester History Channel Facebook group, said: "Back in the day two organisations ran the carnival, Colchester Community Fund charity and King Coel's Kittens.
"All of a sudden, everything stopped - another organisation took over and Colchester Carnival became an American-styled parade.
"My grandfather, Clifford William Diggins, was a solo entry in a Colchester Carnival back in 1932. 
"He used to dress up every year and go to carnivals all over the East Anglia and used to raise funds for Essex County Hospital.
"Colchester Carnival goes back for many years, but in recent years it mysteriously disappeared."
To find out more about the past carnivals and to find more pictures visit colchestercarnival.co.uk and Colchester History Channel on Facebook.
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