THE carnival returns to town on Saturday 5 November and the final countdown has begun.

From the carnival clubs 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.

Bridgwater Carnival’s origins lie in the failed exploits of Guy Fawkes, and in this, the 417th anniversary of these Gunpowder Plot celebrations, Bridgwater Carnival 2022 is set to illuminate the town’s streets for the first time since 2019 and the pandemic.

This year’s carnival celebrations are testament to the town’s dedicated carnivalites and the invaluable support received from Arts Council England, the event’s main sponsor EDF’s Hinkley Point C, and many other local businesses and organisations.

On carnival day itself, the build-up to the grand procession starts in the town centre at 10.30am, and carnival revellers will scarcely have time to pause for breath.

There is just so much happening in the town centre during the daytime with fun planned for the whole family.

Early visitors will be entertained by a variety of acts, including Hamp Academy Dancers, Fox King Dance Academy, Felicity Footloose, Thingamabob, Exmouth Shanty Men, Bridgwater Sea Cadets, Bournemouth Carnival Band, Samba Doc, Magnolia Jazz Band, Ashley Ross Quinn, Jordan Hill, Teresa de Roberto, The ABBA Girls, Two Tone, Somerset Songbirds, Wells City Band, Bridgwater Rock Choir, ACTS, Lucy Lost-it, Stagecoach, Krazy Kev & Dinky, Higher Beings, and other street entertainers, to name just a few.

The carnival procession will start at 6pm, and will consist of nearly 100 entries. Over 45 illuminated carnival carts, including the royal-themed cart ‘Jubilation’ which took part in the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee Pageant in June, and many other walking entries will enthral the tens of thousands of people who are expected to line the route.

Making a donation to the collection Official charity collectors will be on the streets on carnival day and night, and organisers are hoping to beat 2019’s collection total of £21,132.

As well as the official Bridgwater Carnival charity, the authorised collectors, who will be identifiable through unique identity badges, will be raising monies for 18 other local charities and organisations.

Donations

This year there are four ways in which spectators can donate:

Cash - Look for the official collection buckets and collecting carts;

Text - Text BGFC to 70085 to donate £1, £2, £3, £4, £5 or £10;

Tap - Look out for the official team of collectors carrying tap-and-donate machines.

Spectators can tap their phone or card to make a fixed donation of £3, and can donate with confidence to the easily identified authorised collectors who will be wearing unique identity cards;

Website - Visit Bridgwater Carnival’s official website – www.bridgwatercarnival.org.uk. and make a donation by clicking the DONATE button.

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.

All of the main roads leading into the town will start closing from 4pm.

Dave Stokes, publicity director of Bridgwater Guy Fawkes Carnival, said: “Saturday 5 November is the night the carnival comes to town, and we couldn’t be more excited. This is a night when everyone can forget all of their troubles for a few hours, marvel at the incredible sights, and get carried away by the infectious atmosphere.

“I am sure everyone will have a great night at the carnival in Bridgwater, the home of carnival”.

Parking

Once again organisers of Bridgwater Carnival have teamed up with The Buses of Somerset to provide a park-and-ride service for spectators attending this year’s carnival.

This year there are two park-and-ride services: Junction 24, M5, Market Way, North Petherton. TA6 6DF (blue) – opens at 2pm, and drop off/pick up at Taunton Road (outgoing) just past the garage.

Hours of operation: 2pm to 6pm, and 9pm to 11:30pm. Hinkley Point C, Bristol Road, Dunball, TA6 4TB. (yellow) – opens at 2pm, and drop off/pick up at East Quay/Watsons Lane.
Hours of operation: 2pm to 6pm, and 9pm to 11.30pm. Charges will be £12 per car (£20 for camper vans and minibuses), and this will include the return bus trip for all the vehicles passengers.

Official car parks close to the procession route will be clearly signposted, and are located at the following locations: St Matthew’s Field, Morrisons Supermarket, ASDA Supermarket, Bridgwater Hospital, Wickes, Morganians Rugby Club, B&M Store, Polden Bower School, West Quay Car Park.

These car parks will be staffed by representatives from charities and community organisations authorised by Bridgwater Guy Fawkes, and parking will cost £6 per vehicle.

All official carnival car parks close at midnight.
Live Stream For those who are unable to make it into Bridgwater on the big night, the carnival is also being streamed live.

This is thanks to the technical expertise of Somerset Web Services, Maniac Films, QSS IT and Timeless Images.

The live stream will officially begin at 6pm and will feature the carnival procession and squibbing display.

For those who would like to make use of the streaming service, all that is needed is internet access, and in return, viewers are asked to consider making an optional donation to the Bridgwater Carnival charity.

To find out more about the live stream service and to watch it, visit the carnival's website here.