This year’s regatta week is bursting with all the usual family attractions, but two new events are set to make 2015 the most exciting ever.

That’s according to John Trickey, chairman of the Deal, Walmer and Kingsdown Regatta Association, which runs the carnival programme.

For the first time, a pageant will cater for Deal’s stunners, even if they are married with kids.

“There are many beautiful women in this town who are beauty queens in their own right. Why not have a pageant to celebrate that?” he asked.

It is being sponsored by Ocean Rooms and held at the venue in Queen Street. The winner will be crowned Miss Ocean Rooms 2015 and given a year’s free entry, a gold family ticket for the fair and beauty vouchers.

It is open to any woman over 16 and to make it easier for mums to enter, children are permitted until 9pm.

“People usually enter pageants on the night, but we are hoping to get a few more advance entries,” Mr Trickey added.

The same applies to the Deal Regatta Drag Queen contest, also held at Ocean rooms at the same time as the beauty pageant, yesterday (Friday) from 7pm.

This afternoon will see Teddy Bears picnic on Walmer Green, followed by Party on the Green and a fireworks display.

A bumper carnival is predicted for Thursday, July 30, with scores of entrants already booked.

Mr Trickey added: “This is a major community event. We get tremendous support, but can we ask for more this year?”

A Cinderella coach is among those due to set off from the starting point at The Beach from 7pm. Others include the cast of the Sgt’s Mess Pantomime, which this year is The Sound of Muesli and the Newfoundland Dogs will join the parade too.

Fundraising is as important as ever because the carnival committee is a not-for-profit organisation with little public funding.

“We also have a Yummy Mummy competition on the same day as the baby show on Wednesday, July 29. We have a Glamorous Gran, the baby who looks most like its parent, so why not have a Yummy Mummy one?

“The winner wins a bouquet. It is great to have these new events and we hope they will become yearly attractions.”

To enter Miss Ocean Rooms, pick up a registration form from the East Kent Mercury office, 13 Queen Street, Deal, or Tourist Information Centre, Town Hall, High Street, Deal.