More costume making workshops and a new website offering advertising opportunities, were among the highlights at the launch of this year’s Devizes Carnival events.

The organisation that runs the carnival and the town’s Christmas Festival – Devizes Outdoor Celebratory Arts – wants to build on the success of last year’s events.

At a launch party held at Devizes Town Hall last week DOCA’s artistic director Jo Beal said following successful open drop-in sessions for lantern making workshops for the Christmas Festival, similar sessions will be held for people wishing to take part in the carnival procession.

The carnival committee runs costume making workshops for community group leaders who go back and teach people in their community and these will continue but drop in sessions for families and individuals will be held over four days.

She said the International Street Festival will continue with its two-day format. On Sunday August 24 all the events will be on The Green, culminating in a procession in the evening.

On Monday August 25 the events will be in the Market Place and surrounding streets.

Carnival fortnight kicks off with Picnic In The Park on August 17 and traditional events, including the Confetti Battle remain. Wiltshire Council arts team has invited DOCA to pilot some outdoor arts activities with Stonehenge and Avebury as the back drop.

DOCAchairman James Matcham called on people to get involved with the carnival as volunteers.

He said: “We are always looking for people to be involved from giving just an hour at one event to more time.”

Wiltshire councillor Simon Jacobs, the chairman of Devizes Area Board, said: “The whole of the community area benefits from these events. DOCA really represents the heart and soul of our community because it covers all ages.”

Visit www.docadevizes.org.uk