The South Somerset carnival season officially kicks off this Saturday night in Wellington, marking the start of a series of vibrant events across the region. Following recent festivities on the Wessex circuit and in East Devon, the Wellington procession serves as the traditional opening event before the carnival moves on to Ilminster, Chard, and Taunton.
Over 50 entries are set to participate in the procession, with organisers urging local residents and visitors alike to line the streets and support the participants with their cheers. The procession will commence at 7:30pm, with the Windy Wheelers Motorcycle Club leading the event, setting off slightly earlier at around 7:25pm.
The procession route starts at Rockwell Green and continues along Hilly Head and Mantle Street, passing through Wellington town centre before concluding at Priory Junction.
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To ensure the safety of both participants and spectators during the procession, drivers are asked to remove their vehicles from the route by 5:00pm at the latest on the day of the event. Additionally, several road closures will be implemented along the route to facilitate a smooth and secure carnival experience.
Below is the schedule of all the illuminated Carnivals taking place across the South West this Autumn, encompassing multiple circuits and associations:
East Devon Circuit
- Sidmouth: Saturday 26 September, 7:30pm
- Budleigh Salterton: Saturday 3 October, 7:30pm
- Ottery St. Mary: Friday 16 October, 8:00pm
- Honiton: Saturday 24 October, 7:30pm
Wessex Grand Prix
- Frome: Saturday 26 September, 7:00pm
- Shaftesbury: Saturday 3 October, 7:15pm
- Gillingham: Saturday 10 October, 7:15pm
- Wincanton: Friday 16 October, 7:30pm
- Castle Cary: Saturday 17 October, 7:00pm
- Warminster: Saturday 31 October, 6:45pm
South Somerset Federation
- Wellington: Saturday 26 September, 7:30pm
- Ilminster: Saturday 3 October, 7:15pm
- Chard: Saturday 10 October, 7:30pm
- Taunton: Saturday 17 October, 7:00pm
Somerset County Guy Fawkes Carnival Association
- Bridgwater: Saturday 7 November, 6:00pm
- Burnham-on-Sea: Monday 9 November, 7:30pm
- Weston-super-Mare: Friday 13 November, 7:00pm
- North Petherton: Saturday 14 November, 7:00pm
- Shepton Mallet: Wednesday 18 November, 7:30pm
- Wells: Friday 20 November, 7:00pm
- Glastonbury: Saturday 21 November, 6:45pm
Independent Carnivals
- Midsomer Norton: Monday 16 November, 7:30pm
Residents and visitors are encouraged to plan ahead for the road closures and to come out to enjoy the impressive displays and community spirit that these carnivals bring to Somerset and the South West throughout the autumn season.