READY to hear the pitter patter of tiny (and pretty huge) paws this Sunday?

The main Southend Carnival parade may be a week away yet, but associated events kick off this weekend with the annual carnival dog show in Priory Park. 

The historic dog show has been part of the carnival build up since the early days of the carnival itself.
Run in conjunction with Southend Canine Society, the dog show is a fun day out for dog owners and pooches themselves.

There will be numerous competitions and classes to enter. Entries open at 11am in Priory Park and people can enter as many different classes as they wish for £2 per entry for the pedigree classes or £1.50 for the novelty classes. 

All dogs must be kept on a lead at the event and puppies under six months are not allowed to attend

Also kicking off this weekend is the Chalkwell Park Funfair - again, a historic part of the carnival build up.

The Fair will be open daily from today until carnival days itself.
Rides and stalls will be open from 2pm - 10.30pm daily and 2pm-8pm on Sunday.

Crazy price days where all rides for £1 (except dodgems) will apply on Thursday (August 16) with rides for all ages,
There will be a £1 entry fee to the fair and children under 1 metre get free entry, 

All gate profits going to Southend Mencap music man project charity.
And don’t forget to clear your calendar next Saturday for the annual carnival cavalcade itself which at least 20,000 people are expected to attend.

The celebratory, colourful atmosphere of the time-honoured carnival procession has seen thousands upon thousands of pounds raised for charity over the years.

The Southend Carnival procession, which has been a major annual tradition in town since it began in 1906, sets off on Saturday August 18 at 6.45pm from Southchurch Park.

It will reach City Beach on theseafront at 7.30pm and finish on the seafront at Shorefield Road atapproximately 9pm.