WHOOP whoop! It’s carnival time in Southend, which can only mean one thing - a week long party, including a funfair, lights, colour, flag waving, candy floss, doughnuts, fancy dress, teddy bears’ picnic and more.

It all culminates of course in the fantastic procession - one of the biggest in the UK - along the seafront on Saturday.

The fun all kicks off today - Thursday August 7 - and runs until Saturday August 16.

See a full run-down of the events and times here: 

Southend SummerCare Carnival Fun Fair

When: August 7 - 16. Open daily between 2pm - 10.30pm (except for Sunday August 10 when it closes at 8pm).

Where: Chalkwell Park, London Road, Westcliff.

Cost: Entry to the fair is just £1 per adult, which includes two children aged 14 and under for free, and 50p for each additional child aged 14 and under.

What to expect: Lots of children's rides, family attractions, thrill rides, fun games, big inflatables, olourful lights, music, laughter and the smell of hot doughnuts and candy floss.

Family Fun Discount Days run on Thursday August 7, Tuesday August 12 and Thursday August 14 when the rides and attractions will be cheaper.

Discount Fun Fair Vouchers: You can save money at the Southend SummerCare Carnival Fun Fair by using discount ride vouchers, available from southendcarnival.weebly.com.

These can be used on any day except the family fun discount days.

The Teddy Bears’ Picnic

When: Wednesday August 13, 11.30am.

Where: Priory Park, Southend. At the bandstand next to the cafe.

Cost: £3 per child.

What to expect: Children can bring their favourite bear or cuddly character and a picnic to Priory Park. The event takes place before the children's fancy dress competition in the afternoon, making for a fun-filled day out in the summer holiday. The games and entertainment are aimed at children aged three - seven years, but anyone can come along and join in the fun “as long as they bring a furry friend”.

This year the teddy bears picnic is being sponsored by Rossi Ice Cream and their very own Rossi Bear will be joining in with the games on the day. Radio Essex will be providing face painting for the kids, a Rossi Ice Cream van will be in the park and there will be a bouncy castle too (for an additional cost). Every child will also receive a goody bag.

Children's Fancy Dress Competition

When: Wednesday August 13. Registration at 12.30pm.

Where: Priory Park, Southend. At the bandstand next to the cafe.

Cost: £2 for each class entered.

What to expect: This annual fancy dress competition attracts a fantastic variety of costumes and this year Rossi Ice Cream are sponsoring the event. Children aged 13 and under can take part in the competition, they just need to put a costume together and arrive in Priory Park to register for the judging to take place. It's a great opportunity for the kids to be creative, designing and making their costumes before the day (with a little help from mum and dad!).

There are different classes in the competition for the children to enter, which are: Individuals, Pairs, Groups, Child & Guardian, and Decorated Wheeled Entrant. The kids can enter into more than one judging class - each class costs £2 for each child. Southend Carnival is a non-profit organisation with any monies raised being donated to local charities.

On the day arrive at Priory Park, next to the cafe, for 12.30pm where you will need to register the children taking part. Judging begins at 1.30pm with the results announced shortly after and trophies given to the winners. There will be a bouncy castle at the event as well as a Rossi Ice Cream van and Rossi Bear will even be making an appearance!

Southend SummerCare Carnival Procession

When: Saturday August 16. Starts from Southchurch Park at 7.45pm, goes along Southend seafront past the pier at 8.30pm and reaches Shorefield Road in Westcliff at 9.30pm.

Where: Southend Seafront. The best viewing point is City Beach.

Cost: Free! But “loose change” donations are asked to be given to the carnival charity collectors.

What to expect: Attracting around 20,000 people to Southend seafront with over 80 floats and acts, the Southend SummerCare Carnival Procession is one of the largest in the UK. The carnival procession includes colourful floats, exciting acts, dancers, bands, big costumes, flag waving, all kinds of music, bright lights and a great atmosphere within the crowd.

New for 2014: Accessible Viewing Area

This year supporters of the carnival procession, southend-based care provider SummerCare, are hosting an Accessible Viewing Area on Southend's City Beach for people with disabilities or those who wish to watch the procession in a more secure environment.

The Accessible Viewing Area will be on a raised platform, closed off from the general public but will still have a fun carnival atmosphere!

If you would like to use the Accessible Viewing Area, visit southendcarnival.weebly.com to register your place.