The UK’s oldest carnival that’s FREE to visit returns this week with 150,000 people expected
DID you know that the UK’s oldest carnival dates back nearly 180 years – and has one of Europe’s biggest float processions?
Bridgwater Carnival first started in 1847, taking place on the first Saturday of November.
The carnival – which is free to attend – is a full-day celebration starting at 10.30am with circus performances, live bands, dances and fairground rides.
These will be held at spots across the town like the High Street, Cornhill Stage and at St Mary’s Church.
This part ends at 6pm, before the two-hour long procession then start.
Down the main streets are huge parades where locals can show off their illuminated floats and there will be marching bands too.
Afterwards, there’s a tradition called ‘squibbling’ where around 150 people line up along the roads carrying a long pole which holds a large firework.
All at once, these are set off with the fireworks lighting up the sky.
It’s expected that 150,000 people will descend on the town this year to see the celebrations.
One visitor who previously attended said: “All of the Somerset carnivals are magical, however Bridgwater is the largest and most spectacular. “
Another added: “I wish my own home town could put on such a display.”
While the event is free, it is encouraged to ask for donations as it’s run by volunteers.
The origin of the Bonfire Night celebrations in Bridgwater can be traced back to the year of the foiled Gunpowder plot in 1605.
Bridgwater celebrated heavily as most of its residents at the time were protestant.
However, it wasn’t until later on in 1847 when the celebrations turned into a carnival by the Victorians who even made their own squibs fireworks.
If you want something even grander to visit this weekend, the world’s largest bonfire night with 40,000 visitors is set to be even more popular this year and it starts tomorrow.