Organisers of this year’s Warminster Carnival have thanked supporters for a “brilliant turn-out” as thousands watched Saturday’s (October 26) procession.
Sandra Major, chair of the Warminster Carnival committee, praised the crowds of people who attended, saying they were “five deep” in some key locations.
She said: “There was a brilliant turn-out this year for Warminster Carnival.
“The committee appreciate all the hard work that the entrants put on for us all to see, the standard is really high.
“We are also grateful for all the help that the Carnival Committee receives on Carnival Day and throughout the year to put on this event for the whole community.
“We were so pleased it was a dry night and such a great turn-out and the crowd really seem to enjoy the Carnival.
“There were lots of people clapping and cheering and dancing around. The crowd definitely enjoyed it.”
Warminster mayor, Cllr Stacie Allensbury, added: “It was brilliant. There were loads of people there. I really enjoyed it and stood there cheering and clapping with everyone else.”
Warminster Carnival is always held on the last Saturday in October and is traditionally the last on the Wessex Grand Prix Circuit, a group of eight carnivals held in towns across Somerset, Wiltshire, and Dorset.
They include Frome, Shaftesbury, Gillingham, Castle Cary, Wincanton, Trowbridge, Mere, and Warminster.
The circuit was established in 1986 to encourage carnival clubs to compete for awards and support local carnivals. The circuit features three competition categories: tableaux, comic, and feature. There is also a Wessex Queen, regular meetings, and prizes for entries.
The carnivals are run by volunteers who raise funds annually to build their entries. Each carnival also holds a street collection to raise funds for local charities and community groups. The carnivals are free to attend, but donations are welcome.
Each club’s entry then takes part in the carnival parade along with many other entries, putting on a show for the public, and competing for prizes.
This year’s Warminster Carnival featured the Wiltshire Caledonian Pipes & Drums, six majorette troupes, and ten illuminated floats, as well as dozens of walking entries.
This year’s winner of the open feature category was Kipling Carnival Club’s Blocos De Carnival, with Frome Carnival Committee’s Country Garden in second place.
The Oasis Carnival Club, out for the first time this year, picked up first place in the Open Tableaux for America (4th of July).
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