A UNIQUE tradition of wearing “big heads” and marching in a parade through Harwich is set to return next weekend.

The popular Guy Carnival, which has run annually for the past 160 years, sees hundreds of people of all ages turn out in an array of weird and wonderful costumes.

They join together for a torchlit procession through the town as part of a tradition dating back decades.

The parade features floats and costumes poking fun at topical issues in a tradition known as guying.

The event is believed to have been started by the Royal Naval Shipyard apprentices in 1854 in conjunction with remembering Guy Fawkes, with the big heads first introduced by the workers of Parkeston Quay’s Marine Workshops 61 years ago.

Last year’s carnival is thought to have been the most popular in a decade, with around 600 people taking part.

Chris Root, carnival spokesman, is hoping this year’s event, taking place on Saturday, October 28, will be just as well supported.

“We have at least five large floats in this year,” he said.

“The carnival has been going for more than 160 years so getting young people on board and interested is the key to keeping it going.

“I feel there is a lot of interest this year.

“It is great we are maintaining this level of interest and support, building on last year.

“We are happy and looking forward to it.

“The rugby club juniors will be carrying the torches – probably the oldest aspect of the carnival.

“We are really keen to make people aware that anyone can take part, it doesn’t just have to be floats.”

This year will mark the first selfie competition as part of the carnival.

Festival-goers are encouraged to snap selfies at the procession and send them to the carnival’s Facebook page.

The top three pictures will win the photographers £20, £10 and £5 respectively.

Harwich Tool Hire has offered a £100 prize for the best man-powered contraption on show at the carnival.

This could include bicycles, wheelchairs or scooters.

The Alma Inn is also offering £100 for the best-judged big head at the carnival.

Big heads can be collected from the Guy Carnival shop, in the former antiques shop, in High Street, Dovercourt.

The event, which starts at 6.30pm at the top of Ainger Road, is organised by the Harwich and Dovercourt Rotary Club and raises money for a variety of different causes.