One of the spectacular trucks at Bridgwater Guy Fawkes Carnival (Photo: Timeless Images)
When: 3rd November 2018, entertainment from 10am, procession begins at 7pm
Where: Bridgwater, Somerset
£: Free but donations welcome
What is it?
This year’s Bridgwater Guy Fawkes Carnival will take place on Saturday 3rd November in Somerset.
Bridgwater’s annual carnival celebrates the failed exploits of Guy Fawkes in its own unique way; with a large illuminated parade, a host of masqueraders, thousands of lights and a good dose of ‘squibbing’.
The events kick off on the Friday evening with a Grand Firework Display at St Matthews Field, along with fun fair rides and a children’s lantern parade.
On carnival day, the build up to the grand procession starts in the town centre from 10am, with entertainment suitable for the whole family. Early visitors will be entertained by a variety of acts, including the Magnolia Jazz Band, Wycombe Steel Band, Exmouth Shanty, Somerset Songbirds, Bruce Airhead and the Somerset Sapphires.
The squibbing finale (Photo: Timeless Images)
The main carnival procession will begin 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 more than 60 carnival floats, and these are not your usual type of carnival floats. The trucks involved can be up to 100 foot long and feature themed moving displays of light and sound. Be prepared to spend a good few hours watching this colourful entertainment as it takes a 2.5 mile route around Bridgwater.
The entertainment will be brought to an equally unique and fitting finale when more than 150 ‘squibbers’ will line the town’s High Street, immediately after the procession, for the traditional squibbing display. The ‘squibbing’ is a type of street firework display which is unique to Bridgwater, creating a long trail of fire and lighting up the town.
Official charity collectors will be on the streets during the day and night, collecting money for the carnival and other good causes. If you are attending the event, please pop some coins in the bucket, it will honestly be worth it.
For those who have never seen the carnival before, check out some of the wonderful trucks in all their glory below…
And to see what the squibbing (or street fireworks) is all about…
More info: www.bridgwatercarnival.org.uk and www.facebook.com/BridgwaterGuyFawkesCarnival