SOUTHEND Carnival has been incredibly popular for decades, but it is yet another event which had to be postponed due to the coronavirus pandemic this year.
While organisers of the annual festival were forced to postpone this summer’s proceedings, which was originally scheduled to take place last month, it was confirmed the carnival will make its comeback next year.
The local community rushes to the seafront - and to various other locations around the town - to catch a glimpse of the eye-catching floats.
Our snaps from the Echo archive show how many people also get into character for the bonanza, with some dressing up as historic figures and others taking inspiration from their favourite films.
Iconic look - Leigh’s Louise Davies dressed as Walt Disney favourite Mary Poppins when she headed to the Southend Carnival in the 1980s
These images show how much the event has transformed through the decades.
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Scroll down to see more Southend Carnival photos through the ages.
Ole! Brother and sister Stuart and Jenna Ostermeyer, from Canvey, headed to the carnival as a matador and a Spanish lady
Aerial view - thousands of people were in attendance and congregated outside Adventure Island when the Southend Carnival took place in August 2015
Historic - Alex Perkins, eight, as a Roman centurion, Bonnie Blueman, six, as Cleopatra, and Hannah Perkins, six, as a
Roman lady
Bronze position - Kristina Holland, from Stanford-le-Hope, won the third prize with her Southend Carnival Sandcastle Fancy Dress outfit in 1988
The True Blues - David Hancock, Miss Southend United winner Amanda Everson, Alan Froy and Arthur Orchard (left to right)
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- Can you spot yourself in these photos taken at Canvey Island schools in the 1990s?
Watching on - the community was out in full force to witness the carnival as it passed by Southend Pier five years ago
Roar - Westcliff Rugby Club were among the clubs and organisations to get involved in the 2015 Southend Carnival
It’s a pirate life for me - a host of pirate-loving youngsters got into character for the popular annual event five years ago
Taking his hat off - six-year-old Scott Cooper, of Leigh, as Prince Charming in 1988
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