A NEW Forest village is gearing up for a weekend of fun.

Villagers are putting the finishing touches to Copythorne Carnival Weekend today and tomorrow.

A carnival has been held in the community every year since 1948 and this year’s event is jam-packed with attractions.

Events kick off today with the crowning of the carnival queen Mary Cheater and the princesses Sian Read and Madeleine Grieves at Copythorne Scouts Headquarters in Romsey Road in the village.

The new ‘royals’ will be crowned by Hampshire’s County Scout commissioner Adam Jollans, who will officially open the weekend’s activities at 1.30pm.

Events on Carnival Day afternoon include a fun family dog show, a tug of war game involving children pulling against a steam engine, trek cart races with two teams from the village Scouts and Guides competing against each other, a martial arts display and marching bands.

There will also be various stalls.

The grand finale to the afternoon’s celebrations will be at 5pm with the carnival parade along a three-mile route taking in Copythorne, Bartley, Winsor and Cadnam.

People living along the route are being urged to make a scarecrow or a guy and place it where it can be seen.

The carnival queen will judge the exhibits the evening before the procession, which is expected to draw in lot of entries and dozens of spectators as it travels through the streets of all four communities.

In the evening there is a family jamboree and hog roast at the Scout HQ. This will include live bands and a bar.

Tomorrow the carnival weekend’s events continue with a Steam and Vintage Rally in the village between 11am and 5pm.

This will include vintage cars and motorbikes, steam engines, wood sawing demonstrations, and rides in vintage buses.

Parking will be provided at Copythorne Parish Hall in Pollards Moor Road.

Members of Copythorne Women’s Institute will be at show celebrating the organisation’s centenary.

Admission to the steam and vintage rally at the Scout HQ costs £5 per adult and £2.50 for children and senior citizens.

There will also be a carnival fun run on Wednesday, June 17 at 7.30pm.

It starts at the Scout HQ and features a choice between a 5km and 10km route.