Taunton gears up for 56th carnival edition

To start Carnival Day, the group will have stalls outside the Market House from 10am to noon with Tone FM to launch our first Carnival Program for many years, with a tombola stall, and a visit from Cllr Nick O’Donnell, the Mayor of Taunton.

Chairman Marilyn House said: “We’ve had sponsorship and support from lots of local companies over the years for many of our activities.

“Without them, none of this would happen and we are especially grateful to Taunton Town Council for their sponsorship this year.

“We’ve also brought back a Carnival Programme with a lot of help from advertisers. "No one will be surprised that costs for background things like insurance, medical cover, and health and safety across our major events have gone up tremendously.

“Without all the volunteer entrants, marshals, and collectors giving up their time there would be no events – so we say a big ‘Thank You’ to them all.

"What we need to cap it all now is good weather and full collecting tins this weekend. Please dig deep to help us keep the Carnival tradition alive in Taunton.”

Procession

The 56th Annual Illuminated Procession moves off this Saturday at 7pm sharp from the bridge in Tangier Way and down into Wood Street.

It turns right into Bridge Street before going up through the town centre into East Street and down over East Reach to the Finish line on Chritchard Way.

Robes and chains will be much in evidence at the front of the Procession with our Mayor and Mayoress walking the route accompanied by the High Sheriff, the chairman of Somerset Council, and the Mayors of Axbridge and Wellington with their consorts.

Floats and walkers depicting themes ranging from ‘Just Another Day in Hollywood’ to ‘Buffalo Creek’ will wend their way along the mile-long route, taking about an hour to pass any one point.

Wellington, Ilminster, and Chard have hosted the procession over the last three Saturdays.

The majority of entries appearing there proudly showed off the costumes they’ve spent weeks putting together and now bring to Taunton.

As well as being out to entertain the crowds they are competing in a dozen different classes for coveted local trophies, and points towards the overall South Somerset Federation awards.

Carnival is full of friendly rivalry so holding the cups aloft in front of the competition can be more important than the prize money.

Bringing up the rear will be the one vehicle the organisers hope not to need – a Breakdown Recovery unit kindly provided by Frost Rescue from Bridgwater.
If all goes according to plan this should cross the finish line at about 9.15pm

Vote for your winners

You can pick your own winners on the night. The Public Choice competition voting will be on Facebook.

All the votes from the four South Somerset Federation towns put together will decide the best float and best walking entries.

Charities

Taunton Carnival Committee organises events throughout the year, culminating in the Procession, for two main purposes – to raise money for local charities and organisations and contribute to town’s social calendar.

During the evening procession, there will be dozens of official collectors on the ground.

The reward for performers and event organisers alike is to see all the collecting tins full and piles of coins on the lorries.

Treasurer Roz Swinburne said: “If everyone put in £1 or 50p coins we’d easily have a record collection.

“Of course, we don’t mind what coins or notes come our way but we do need a lot of them, please. We’re happy if it takes us all day Sunday to count it.”

People can also give using QR codes and Tap & Pay. The codes will be displayed on posters around the town as well as on all the collecting tins. Some collectors will have Tap & Pay machines.

If you’re interested in helping on Saturday, as a Marshal for the Procession or a Collector, please contact us at info@tauntoncarnival.co.uk