The organisers of Highbridge and Burnham-On-Sea Carnival have this week announced that a replacement walking parade is to be held this November due to the pandemic.
The Grand Costume Parade will take place through Burnham-On-Sea on Monday November 8th, starting at 7pm, but there will not be the normal carnival carts.
The event will be part of a Sedgemoor Masquerade Week taking place instead of the traditional illuminated carnival processions across Somerset which have been cancelled for a second year.
Sedgemoor Masquerade Week will feature a number of smaller events in our area. The week of events, launching on 31st October, has been pulled together by carnival committees across Sedgemoor – full details at the bottom of this page.
Phil New, Chairman, Highbridge & Burnham-On-Sea Carnival Committee, pictured below, told Burnham-On-Sea.com: “I am really looking forward to the week of activities, and now is the time to bring back a bit of normality to Sedgemoor.”
Phil adds: “In Burnham, we will dedicate this year’s grand costume parade to all of the key workers who have been on the frontline throughout the pandemic, as well as all of the volunteers who have played a major supporting role.”
The annual carnival processions in Bridgwater and Burnham-On-Sea, which commemorate the 1605 Gunpowder Plot, were cancelled in March, due to the continuing impact of Covid.
Dave Croker, Chairman, Bridgwater Guy Fawkes Carnival Committee, adds: “Despite the fact that our carnival concerts and illuminated carnival processions which we know and love will not return to their full glory until 2022, it really is positive to be in a position to organise some much needed entertainment and enjoyment for the town.”
“So many community events have been cancelled due to the pandemic, and even though we will not have a single carnival cart in sight, these low key and symbolic activities which we are planning will hopefully put a smile back on all of our faces and help us prepare for the 2022 carnival season.”
Events during Sedgemoor Masquerade Week:
The special week will consist of the following events:
Sunday 31st October to Thursday 4th November: Variety Show, Bridgwater Town Hall
Presented by Bridgwater Gangs & Features Clubs, Bridgwater Guy Fawkes Carnival, and
Bridgwater Town Council. Performances start 3pm on Sunday and then 7pm on Monday to
Thursday. The tickets are limited and cost just £5, and can be purchased either in person from the Carnival Centre, or by telephone 01278 428220 from Thursday 7th October. On Thursday 7 October, the carnival centre will be open between 09:00 hours and 17:00 hours, and between 18:00 hours and 20:00 hours. Tickets will not be available online.
Friday 5th November: Bridgwater Firework Display, 7.30pm
St Matthew’s Field. Car parking on the field from 6pm – £5 per car with proceeds to the official carnival charity. A Fun Fair will also be present in St Matthew’s Field.
Saturday 6th November, Bridgwater Town Centre
2.30pm – Street entertainment begins
5.30pm – Grand Costume Parade, followed by simultaneous squibbing display
7pm – 2021 Virtual Carnival titled Through the Decades. The two hour live stream broadcast will feature 100 entries from Bridgwater Carnival processions held over the
past 40 years
Sunday 7th November: Burnham-On-Sea Grand Fireworks Display, 6.30pm
On The Esplanade organised by the Town Council – full details here
Monday 8th November: Burnham-On-Sea Grand Costume Parade, 7pm
A procession through Burnham-On-Sea featuring costume entries
