RACING between pubs in wheelbarrows, Morris men dancing in the street and an eight-foot robot – it must be the Eynsham Carnival.

The carnival, now in its 67th year, is the biggest event in Eynsham’s calendar and will see about 2,000 people descend on the village.

Residents have spent the past few weeks building floats for the procession and converting trolleys, wheelbarrows and wheelchairs for the shirt race ahead of July 6.

Carnival committee chairman Julie Jordan said: “I think the carnival says that we are all game for a laugh and prepared to come out and have fun – that’s what the whole carnival is about.

“There’s something for everyone.” The event will begin with Morris men performing in The Square from 11am before the shirt race kicks off from Witney Road at 12.15pm.

Competitors will race between seven of the village’s pubs, one person in the trolley or cart and the other pushing.

At 12.30pm the procession, led by a marching band and Carnival Queen Chloe Jarvis, will leave Witney Road and head to the village centre. The carnival, held in the Oxford Road Playing Fields, will be officially opened by Dr Paul Coffey, from Eynsham Medical Centre, at 1.30pm.

Acts include Titan the Robot – an 8ft walking and talking robot – the 3sixty bike display team, dance performances from Step2 Dance Troupe and music from the Cadence Drum and Bugle Corps Band.

It is run by a committee of the Eynsham Royal British Legion, Rotary Club, Scouts and St Leonard’s Church.

Mrs Jordan said: “There are things going on throughout the year in Eynsham but the carnival weekend really is the event when everyone comes together.

“You find people who used to live in the village tend to come back on the day. I often find I meet up with old school friends who I see once a year.

“It’s also a good family day out – there’s something for everyone.”

But she said the organisers had “no idea” how many people would be involved in the shirt race or procession because no registration is required.

Mrs Jordan added: “It is all done in complete secrecy and no one lets on what they are doing all around the village. It is taken seriously, very seriously.

“This week we will start seeing thing and wander what they have been doing.”

For more information, see eynshamcarnival.com