THE FINAL COUNTDOWN HAS STARTED
With just under one week until the carnival returns to town on Saturday 2 November, the final countdown has begun to Bridgwater Carnival 2024.
For the carnival clubs and masqueraders who are working on their spectacular entries around the clock, to the carnival organisers who are finalising the arrangements for Bridgwater’s biggest night of the year, preparations are in full swing for the UK’s oldest carnival.
Bridgwater Carnival’s origins lie in the failed exploits of Guy Fawkes, and in this, the 419 th anniversary of these Gunpowder Plot celebrations, Bridgwater Carnival 2024 is set to illuminate the town’s streets once again.
This year’s carnival celebrations are testament to the thousands of dedicated carnivalites from the town and beyond, as well as to the invaluable support received from the main event sponsor, Hinkley Point C, and an array other local businesses and organisations.
On carnival day itself, the build up to the grand procession starts in the town centre at 10:30am with a full programme of street entertainment for the revellers who arrive early.
The carnival procession, which starts at 6pm, will consist of nearly 100 entries. Over 45 illuminated carnival carts and many other walking entries will enthral the tens of thousands of people who are expected to line the route. Many of these spectators are from the UK, although a daughter and her 76 year old Father are flying 4,635 miles from Colorado especially to watch this year’s carnival.
The entertainment will be brought to a fitting finale when approximately 200 squibbers line the town’s High Street immediately after the procession for the traditional squibbing display.
Dave Croker, President of Bridgwater Guy Fawkes Carnival, said: “Bridgwater Carnival remains the greatest illuminated parade in Europe, and this is all down to the dedicated and tireless work of club members and organisers. We often forget that everyone involved gives their time freely, and if it wasn’t for their dedication and commitment, this great show of ours simply wouldn’t happen.
“This year’s carnival will be a night to remember with entries which will amaze and astound everyone watching it. There really is no better place to be than in Bridgwater, the home of carnival, on carnival night, and I am sure everyone will enjoy it.”
Official charity collectors will be on the streets on the day and night, and carnival organisers are hoping to beat last year’s collection total of £27,188. As well as the official Bridgwater Carnival charity, authorised collectors, who will be identifiable through unique identity badges, will be raising monies for 29 other local charities and organisations.
There are four ways in which spectators can donate:-
o CASH – Look for the official collection buckets and collecting carts.
o TEXT – Text BGFC to 70085 to donate £1, £2, £3, £4, £5 or £10.
o WEBSITE – Visit Bridgwater Carnival’s official website – www.bridgwatercarnival.org.uk. and make a donation by clicking the DONATE button.
o TAP & DONATE – Simply and safely make a fixed donation of £3 by using our tap and donate machines.
In the last two years, Bridgwater Guy Fawkes Carnival has raised over £65,000 for local charities and good causes.
For those who are unable to make it into Bridgwater on the big night, the carnival is also being streamed live on the internet. This is thanks to the technical expertise of Somerset Web Services, Maniac Films, QSS IT and Timeless Images. Viewers can tune in from 6pm on carnival night with the procession coming into range of the Cornhill cameras at about 7.15pm. For those who would like to make use of the streaming service, all You need is internet access, and viewers are asked to consider making an optional donation to the Bridgwater Carnival charity. To find out more about the live stream service, as well as to view, simply visit https://live.bridgwatercarnival.org.uk/.
All of the main roads leading into the town will start closing from 4pm. On the day, Buses of Somerset will be offering a Park and Ride service from junctions 23 and 24 of the M5. The cost will be £16 per car and £25 per mini bus (fare covers all passengers), and the service will operate between 2pm and 11:30pm.
Official car parking is available at the following locations: ASDA, Bridgwater Hospital, Blake (Northgate), Wickes, Morrisons, B&M, West Quay, Polden Bower School, St Matthew’s Field, and Bridgwater and Taunton College. Parking in these car parks cost £10 per car and £20 for minibuses, and more information is available below and on Bridgwater Carnival’s official website (www.bridgwatercarnival.org.uk). There is also an official viewing area on the procession route for wheelchair users. Spaces are limited, so to make a reservation, or for further information, email disabled.viewing@bridgwatercarnival.org.uk. Official carnival car parks are staffed by charity and community organisation representatives authorised by Bridgwater Guy Fawkes Carnival Committee.
This year the Taunton Road junction will be closed to ALL traffic on Carnival day from 16:00 hours until approximately 20:30 hours. Safety is always our number one priority, and this will facilitate the safe movement of the carnival procession and the watching spectators who line the town’s streets.
The road will reopen as soon as it is safe to do so.