Thousands of people will line the streets of Burnham-On-Sea this evening (Monday) when dozens of colourful illuminated carts take part in the 66th annual Highbridge and Burnham Carnival.
The weather for tonight’s procession – which starts at 7.30pm – is forecast to be overcast and dry with temperatures of around 8°C.
A number of road closures will be in operation during today’s carnival and visitors are advised to leave extra time before travelling.
The carts arrived in Queen’s Drive on Saturday night after completing the Bridgwater Carnival, and many families and carnival enthusiasts have been getting an early glimpse of the entries in the daylight ahead of tonight’s procession.
Burnham Carnival Chairman Phil New said that everything is now in place for a great event. “It promises to be a super evening – we have around 100 entries in total, half of which are carts. There are some really good entries this year and it should be a great night.”
This year’s Carnival Queen, Emma Nicholson, and her princesses, Pheobe Stargatt and Amber Hayward (pictured right) will lead the parade, which begins at 7.30pm.
Monday’s event will start as usual in Love Lane, near the town’s Tesco supermarket, and will then make its way along Love Lane, onto Manor Road, before travelling along Burnham High Street and finishing in Marine Drive.
Burnham’s emergency services, including Burnham Coastguard, BARB, the ambulance service and the town’s fire service, will be taking part in the procession near the front of the parade.
Among the local entries is Burnham’s Hillview Carnival Club with its colourful Luck Of The Irish cart, pictured below, which is sure to attract big cheers from spectators on its home carnival circuit. Other local groups taking part include DanceFit and the Lucy Gunter Dance Centre.
Others taking part in tonight’s parade include Pudsey Bear, the mascot of BBC Children In Need, pictured right in a visit to Highbridge earlier this year.
Burnham Town Crier Alastair Murray and long-serving Burnham Carnival President Malcolm Borland will also be near the front of the parade.
Some 200 volunteers have come forward to help collect donations from spectators on the night and there will also be collection carts throughout the parade, with a fresh appeal being made for visitors to dig deep.
Parking will be available at the car parks in Burnham’s Oxford Street, Marine Drive and at Morrisons supermarket. There may also be spaces in some side streets.
RELATED LINKS:
Full guide to the 2013 Burnham-On-Sea Carnival
