There was an electric atmosphere in Taunton on Saturday, October 19, for the return of Taunton Carnival 2024. More than £3,500 has been raised so far. 

The illuminated procession began on Tangier Way with a delayed start of 7.30pm. The reason for the delayed start was due to several medical incidents just before the first entry was due to get underway. Organisers of the event had private first aid providers on hand to ensure the incidents were dealt with as quickly and thoroughly as possible.

The procession started with the Windy Wheelers Bikes and Trikes group, whom we have seen warming up the crowd at Wellington, Ilminster and Chard before the night. This was shortly followed by two fire engines based at Taunton Fire Station with their firefighters out collecting for the good local causes that carnival was aiming to support. Followed by last year’s winning majorette troupe Chard Evolution Majorettes and the Taunton Town Council and civic party.

Throughout the next hour or so we saw a dazzling display from so many different participants. We got to see a full range of carnival classics, trade entries, entertainers and culture. It was great to see additional floats this year, with the competition heating up with so many fantastic, mounted entries.

Taunton Carnival was also able to bring so many communities together and welcomed Taunton Beats, and the Nigerian Community of Taunton to the procession this year - both were firm favourites with the crowds.

Taunton regulars Harlequin CC, Nunsford Nutters CC, One Plus One CC and Gemini CC were also enjoyed by the thousands that attended. Not only were the floats built brilliantly and constructed so well, but we also got to see so many walking entries interacting with the crowds and providing the spectacle.

Entrants included local walking pair Ruth and Rio Welsh with their robot theme entry ‘Animatronics’, as well as Flynn Newberry in Walking Juvenile class with ‘Clowntastic’ this year was certainly a favourite with the spectators.

Gemini CC concluded the evening with their entry ‘Rock and Roll Train’ when it reached the finish line at the bottom of East Reach at around 9.30pm. As always with carnival, gaps are always possible and we saw some quite large gaps in the procession, down to a few minor technical issues, and other things organisers had to deal with on the night.

Callum Perrin, Chairman of the Taunton Carnival Committee, said “We are so pleased with the entries we received this year, coming from near and far. We were able to bring the community together for the evening and it’s been great to see the comments and feedback following the event.”

“It takes hundreds of people to be involved to produce what people saw on Saturday evening, its hours of work and it’s all done by volunteers. I’d like to take this opportunity to say thank you to every single one of those people, and also to the entire crowd that came out to support. Preparations for next year’s carnival will be underway soon and we’re always looking for people to get involved!”

The committee confirmed their initial collection total of £3517.41, which is an increase on last year. This will be used to keep carnival going for next year, and to support many local organisations and charities that contribute so much to the community of Taunton. You can donate all year round on the Carnival website www.tauntoncarnival.co.uk

Looking forward to next year already? Saturday, October 18, 2025 from 7pm is the date for your diaries.