Bridgwater Guy Fawkes Carnival (Photo: Timeless Images)
When: 5th November 2016
Where: Bridgwater, Somerset
£: Free but donations welcome
What is it?
The annual Bridgwater Guy Fawkes Carnival will take place on Saturday 5th November in Somerset.
Bridgwater Carnival’s origins lie in the failed exploits of Guy Fawkes, and in this, the 411th anniversary of these Gunpowder Plot celebrations, Bridgwater Carnival 2016 is aiming to be the biggest and best one yet.
On carnival day, the build up to the grand procession starts in the town centre at 10am, with entertainment planned for the whole family. Early visitors will be entertained by a variety of acts, including The Abba Girls, The Two One Man Band, Harry Winchester, Jordan Hill, Ashley Quinn, Two Tone, ACTS Choir, Bridgwater College Music Academy, The Somerset Songbirds, City of Bristol Pipe and Drum, and Samba Galez.
Refreshments will be served in Bridgwater Town Hall throughout the day by carnival committee members and supporters.
The carnival procession (Photo: Timeless Images)
Also taking to the streets during the day will be 150 local school children, who will perform their well-rehearsed, Michael Jackson themed dance routine in the town centre. The young dancers have been practising for weeks under the watchful eye of choreographer and Robert Blake Science College’s head of creative arts, Claire Stokes.
Local radio stations Heart FM, Breeze FM and Sedgemoor FM will be broadcasting from the town centre, and will feature all of the latest chat and news about Bridgwater Carnival.
The main carnival procession starts at 7pm. It will be led by the carnival committee’s official Guy Fawkes cart, and a 14ft effigy of Guy Fawkes made from willow. This will be followed by 108 entries, including 46 illuminated carnival carts.
The entertainment will be brought to a fitting finale when over 150 squibbers line the town’s High Street, immediately after the procession, for the traditional squibbing display.
The traditional squibbing display (Photo: Timeless Images)
Official charity collectors will be on the streets during the day and night. Organisers are hoping to beat last year’s collection total of £26,747. As well as the official Bridgwater Carnival charity, the collectors will also be raising money for Barnardos, Bridgwater & Albion RFC Youth Rugby, Bridgwater Hospital League of Friends, Bridgwater Rotary Club, Cancer Research UK, Elliot’s Touch, Marie Curie, Mencap, Old Morganians RFC Youth, Rhode Lane Wanderers JFC, Robert Blake Science College, Ron Peberdy Cyberknife Trust, Scotties Little Soldiers, Taunton Association for the Homeless, and Young Musical Theatre Company.
There will be a Park & Ride service available to spectators, and for the first time the carnival will be streamed live on the internet.
More info: www.bridgwatercarnival.org.uk and www.facebook.com/BridgwaterGuyFawkesCarnival