Summer isn’t summer until the Peel carnival has happened.

The ever-popular carnival, which is the longest running event of its kind in the island, takes place next weekend on Sunday August 6 on Peel Promenade.

As has become expected with the event, the day will be filled with a wide range of activities, street sideshows, music and entertainment for all the family, beginning from 10am.

This year’s special guests will be a colourful group of theatrical musicians, the Absurdist Pipe Band.

Dressed in a wild array of wigs, costumes, glasses and kilts, they will be entertaining the crowd throughout the day, and also be taking part in the focus of the carnival, the grand parade, which heads along the harbour and the length of the promenade, finishing off at the Creg Malin coach park.

The Absurdist Pipe band, whose members consist of Giblet, Mysterio, Boffo, Blotto, Schlopi and Cheerio describe themselves as ’Expri-mental musicians pushing back the boundaries of absurdist piping, currently dipping toes into the clowny waters of extreme pipe-banding.’

There are also the usual features of the Peel carnival, including the sand castle competition, food and market stalls, fancy dress and a band stage, featuring local talent, situated at Spit Corner.

The grand parade leaves the House of Manannan at 2pm.

For more details, contact festival chairman Ian Baker on 201309.