A millennium celebration event is still being planned by Colchester Town Centre Management Company.

The Colchester Millennium Celebrations will take place every weekend next July to mark the year 2000.

The event will be a combination of the Colchester Street Arts Festival and the town's carnival.

Town centre manager Simon Mitchell said that during every weekend in July there will be street entertainers performing throughout the town.

The attractions will include magicians, mime, street theatre and music.

Displays will take place in Culver Square, Lion Walk, Trinity Street, High Street and other areas in the town centre.

One weekend will include the carnival which Mr Mitchell said will have a theme and be more colourful than this year's.

He said: "It will be a strong, popular event involving local people, for local people."

The Town Centre Management Company has been awarded a grant of almost £30,000 by the Eastern Arts Board to stage the celebrations.

Next week provides the chance for a taste of things to come with this year's Colchester Street Arts Festival.

On Thursday and Friday there will be performances from 11.15am - 4.30pm in Lion Walk, Culver Square and High Street.

Mr Mitchell said there will be something for everyone young and old, including street theatre artists, dance troops and stilt walkers.

Children should head for the Vineyard Street car park, off St Botolphs Street, from 11am - 4pm where they can take part in a cardboard workshop.

Mr Mitchell paid tribute to everyone involved in making this year's carnival successful.

He said: "I would like to thank the crowds of people who turned out to support us - without them there wouldn't have been a carnival."

He also thanked Colchester United Football Club who provided the marshals and Colchester Council which ensured everything went smoothly.

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