An arts carnival that was cancelled due to bad weather has confirmed it will go ahead on a new date with some alterations to the event.

Wild About Maidstone was originally planned to take place in July but high winds on the day meant that the carnival had to be postponed at the last minute.

Instead, the new Wild About Maidstone Celebration will now take place on Saturday, September 9 at the town’s Lockmeadow Entertainment Centre.

The original event was a street parade and was set to feature 350 artists and performers.

However, the newly organised celebration will include some of the floats and artwork that would have appeared in the carnival as a tribute to the cancelled event, alongside live music and craft activities.

The firebird puppet will be wandering around Lockmeadow’s Coronation Square during the day and some of the ‘big build’ pieces that would have taken part in the parade will be on display.

There will also be live entertainment from the Old School Samba Band and dancers from MEPA, Dance Dynamics and the Hazlitt Youth Theatre.

Families can also join in with craft workshops and visit stands from local organisations such as Mid Kent Mind and the Bearsted Climate Action Network.

Claudine Russell from Maidstone Borough Council said: “In July we had planned for more than 350 people to take part in the carnival from performers and dancers to school children and community groups. We hope that many of those will be able to come along and take part, providing a colourful, lively celebration afternoon.

“This is an opportunity to see the amazing ’big builds’ and enjoy an afternoon of music and colourful artwork. Love Food at Lockmeadow will be open for anyone looking for a bite to eat and something to drink. Come along for a great afternoon.”

“We want to encourage everyone who was due to take part in the parade to come down in their carnival costumes and join in the celebration.”

The festivities take place from 1pm to 4pm and it’s all free to enter.