WHETHER you’re mad for The Muppets, bonkers about Bake Off or enjoy watching the Woolpack, it’s time to ditch the remote and celebrate the 2018 Ilkley Carnival theme, TV programmes.

From last year’s Hollywood-inspired event to this year’s small screen, the theme was decided by local schools in collaboration with the Ilkley Carnival committee and offers participants the chance to get their thinking caps on and get creative with TV related ideas for the May Day event.

Andrew Stacey, chairman of the Ilkley Carnival Committee said: “Whether you want to channel your inner Pat Butcher, go back to the 80’s Stranger Things style or explore like Dora, Ilkley Carnival is set to be at the top of our town’s watch list for the new year. It can sometimes be a challenge to think of new themes to grab people’s attention, but TV has made a big comeback in the past decade with the success of popular streaming services such as Netflix and Amazon Prime. It’s an evolving medium that has inspired creative types and we hope it will now engage the people of Ilkley and kick start our most eclectic parade, ever!”

On Monday, May 7, the spectacular parade will begin on The Grove and end at the East Holmes Field showground where headline acts, children’s activities, a fairground and local stalls will be available. Over £17,000 was raised for the local community through sponsorship, donations and ticket sales in 2017, breaking the event’s record by £2,000 the previous year. Half the funds raised went to local running club Ilkley Harriers with the remaining profits distributed amongst local community groups, charities and schools. The 2018 beneficiary process will be starting in the New Year and local organisations are encouraged to apply before the end of January.

Zoe Stephens, mum of Toby Stephens from Ashlands Primary School who took part in the Friends-themed carnival launch photoshoot this week, said: “My son is very excited to be a part of this year’s carnival and loves the idea of dressing up as his favourite TV character for the parade next year! I’m on the school’s carnival committee and absolutely love helping out so for my son to be involved in the launch photo shoot this year is lovely and really brings back fond memories of watching Friends all those years ago!”

Andrew added: “The local schools have been a great help during the 2018 carnival launch, it’s great that we’ve had a number of pupils already involved in the photo shoot and we look forward to continuously working with the schools and parents throughout the process.”

For details about becoming a sponsor and available advertising packages, contact carnival committee member Colin Watson on 07885 200640. To join the carnival’s team of volunteers, contact Andrew Stacey on 07951 890836 and to keep updated with all the news follow @IlkleyCarnival on Twitter and Facebook.