The Liphook Carnival takes place this coming Saturday - exactly 50 years after Southern Television personality Peter Clark, who died in May aged 87, crowned the 1975 Liphook Carnival Queen.
Sixteen-year-old Karen Phillips had the honour of taking the throne that year. Her attendants were Sarah Forder, 18, and Corrine Keen, 22.
Mr Clark said: “Never have I seen so many people gathered together for a carnival night - I only wish the television cameras were here.”
It wasn’t the only time that Mr Clark, who became vice-chairman of Portsmouth Football Club during the 1976-77 season, performed the task. In another year he crowned 17-year-old Michelle Leigh Wright.
The 1975 Liphook Carnival, reported on for the October 30 edition of the Petersfield Post by Margaret Miles, was the 72nd to be held.
And those television cameras wished for by Mr Clark would have recorded some tremendous footage in a classic example of the less health and safety conscious world of the 1970s.
In a twist to the legend, St George saved rather than slayed an 86ft long dragon float with a fire extinguisher when the fire-breathing apparatus in its nostrils caught fire during the judging period.
The bravery of England’s patron saint saved the day for the Liphook Young Businessmen’s Association, whose entry survived to win the adult float section. Liphook Young Wives came second and the Deer’s Hut third.
Nowadays thoughts after the Liphook Carnival will turn to All Hallows’ Eve, but half a century ago the events of October 31 had only a minor place in the English calendar of festivals.
Hence the 1st Liphook Guides took inspiration from November 5 when looking for a seasonal theme, winning the overall best float prize with their Guy Fawkes creation.
Liphook Cubs and Scouts won the children’s prize, with Liphook Playland Nursery second and Liphook Brownies third.
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