Carnival season is in full swing, with anticipation building towards the highly anticipated Bridgwater Carnival. This legendary event draws over 100,000 visitors from across the West County, the UK, and beyond, making it one of the South West’s biggest celebrations — second only to Glastonbury Festival in crowd size.
As carnivals light up East Devon, South Somerset, and Wessex, clubs across Somerset, Devon, and Wiltshire are busy preparing their magnificent carnival vehicles for the grand procession. When Bridgwater Carnival kicks off the Somerset circuit on November 1, the streets will be lined with dozens of vibrant, illuminated carts, some stretching as long as 30 meters, glowing with thousands of LED lights and alive with dancers and performers.
But what goes into creating these show-stopping floats? To find out, we revisited the Marketeers Carnival Club, one of the dedicated groups bringing extraordinary carts to life. Back in 2018, we witnessed firsthand the painstaking process behind their Dickensian-themed cart, a captivating Victorian London street scene complete with workhouses, homes, shops, and even a rotating model of St Paul’s Cathedral.
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The creation involved over 30 crew members dressed in period costumes, performing songs such as “Consider Yourself” from Oliver Twist. According to carnival member Ian Webber, the work begins almost immediately after the previous carnival ends. “We start straight after carnival night in November,” he explained. “By Christmas, we’re dismantling the old cart, holding committee and idea meetings to finalize the theme by March. Every Monday, Wednesday, and weekends become ‘cart nights’ where work intensifies.”
The structure is a marvel of engineering, pulled by an HGV engine equipped with an onboard generator that powers the intricate moving parts and dazzling lights. Sections of the float are crafted separately in the workshop before being carefully mounted onto the main framework, resembling a complex, large-scale jigsaw puzzle.
Ian elaborated, “Each section has a unique role — the front is the workhouse, the middle depicts shops like a butcher’s and a baker’s, and these scenes repeat on either side.” He described the float as a “very bouncy and colourful cart,” hoping the crowd would be mesmerised by its detailed craftsmanship and vibrant design.
Behind the spectacle lies a hefty cost — roughly £20,000 — covering insurance, workshop upkeep, and utilities. Funding comes from donations, sponsorships, and annual membership fees. Ian’s involvement, which began with creating props, grew into a full commitment as a club member, reflecting the camaraderie and dedication essential to the carnival’s success.
As the event nears, intense final preparations ensue, including long nights and plenty of hard work — sometimes resulting in cuts and bruises, but always without disputes. Carnival night culminates in “Black Sunday,” a time for the team to celebrate their achievements together.
For Ian and his fellow members, the carnival is more than entertainment; it is their charitable contribution. “Everything we earn at the procession goes to charity,” he said. The club typically raises £20,000-25,000, which is distributed across multiple local causes, embodying the carnival’s spirit of community giving.
The Marketeers Carnival Club’s dedication bore fruit in 2018 when they won the prestigious Ker Cup at Bridgwater Carnival along with other accolades throughout the circuit.
With the 2025 Bridgwater Carnival approaching on November 1, the carts are nearly ready to dazzle once again.