Bridgwater Carnival 2023: Your guide to this year's festivities
The Home of Carnival is counting down to the biggest event in Bridgwater's calendar
Last updated 3rd Nov 2023
The countdown to carnival continues as we get closer to Bridgwater's biggest event of the year.
1,000 people will be performing as the community band together for the iconic procession tomorrow (4th November).
They will be parading alongside 44 carnival carts for the 418th anniversary of the Gunpowder Plot.
As captain of the Marketeers Carnival Club, Alan Windsor is in charge of one of the most extravagant attractions at the event.
This year they plan to create a pantomime themed cart:
"We've got 42 people on the cart, which is the most we've had in a long time," he said, "we wanted to go for a massive explosion of character and colour and hope we've got that."
And the task is no mean feat, with plans to start next year's cart due to start the moment this year's is taken down.
"As soon as this year's over we start taking the cart apart and then we start the plan for next year.
"We normally start building around the end of February and that takes us right up to Carnival day when we - hopefully - get it finished!"
This year also marks the end of Mike Crocker's presidency as he leaves the role after five years of service.
"Carnival has been in my life since I was nine years old," he said "but this is my fifth and final year."
He feels confident this will be the best one yet.
"I'm expecting the carts to be even better - technology is getting better year on year.
"I just can't wait for Saturday evening to see the carts and see what the clubs are going to bring out."
The historic event can be traced back to the Gunpowder Plot more than 400 years ago, giving the town its "Home of Carnival" status.
Dave Stokes is the event's publicity manager.
"It's a night when people can forget all their troubles - they can come along, watch something fun and watch something happy for a night," he said.
"It hasn't been easy with the pandemic and the cost of living crisis but hopefully this is something which will lift people's spirits."
Although the carnival isn't until Saturday, festivities in the town are already abuzz ahead of this evening's fireworks.
Here is what you can expect this weekend:
The Grand Fireworks, Friday 3rd November
3:30pm: The build up to the fireworks display starts, with other attractions at St Matthew’s Field to entertain the family, including a handful of fairground rides.
6pm: Gates for parking open on St Matthew's Field. There will be a £7 charge for parking.
7:15pm: Local school children from Puriton Primary School, Otterhampton Primary School, and Stogursey Church of England Primary School, will also be getting in on the fun on the evening by taking part in a special lantern parade, starting at 7.15pm from Westfield Church before progressing into St Matthews Field itself.
7:30pm: The glittering firework display begins.
Mike Crocker said: “The Grand Fireworks Display will officially mark the beginning of the 2023 Bridgwater Guy Fawkes Carnival celebrations, and it will increase the excitement and anticipation as we countdown the hours to the start of the illuminated carnival procession on the following night.
The Guy Fawkes Carnival, Saturday 4th November
10:30am: Build up to the grand procession starts in the town centre with a full programme of street entertainment for the revellers who come into the town early.
4pm: Roads close in town - organisers advise to arrive by 4, to get to the event nice and early.
6pm: The processions starts, consisting of nearly 100 entries. Over 45 illuminated carnival carts and many other walking entries will enthral the tens of thousands of people from throughout the UK who are expected to line the route.
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.
Gill Slocombe, Bridgwater Guy Fawkes Carnival Committee’s Somerset Council Representative, and councillor for Bridgwater Town Council, added: “We are all very proud of Bridgwater Carnival and its esteemed history. It brings so many benefits to the local area and the economy, not just during the carnival weekend but all of the way through the year.
“Carnival allows people to learn new skills and competences, and these very talented carnivalites have been working tirelessly over the past 12 months to bring the greatest show on earth to the town on Saturday 4 November 2023.
"I am really looking forward to it, and as we look to the future we must do all we can to ensure the town’s carnival tradition continues to survive, thrive and prosper.”