More than 80 colourful entries will be taking part in tonight’s 64th annual Highbridge and Burnham Carnival, which looks set to attract bigger crowds of spectators than normal following the cancellation of Saturday’s North Petherton event.
Crowds of people have been taking a first look at the carts during the daylight while they are parked up in Burnham’s Queen’s Drive and Frank Foley Parkway ahead of tonight’s procession, as pictured above.
The colourful vehicles arrived in Burnham on Saturday following the cancellation of North Petherton Carnival due to Friday’s fatal M5 accident.
Tonight’s Burnham parade starts at 7.30pm in Love Lane, near the town’s Tesco supermarket, and will then wend its way along Love Lane, onto Manor Road, before travelling along the High Street and finishing in Marine Drive.
This year’s Carnival Queen, Jenny Yip, and her princesses, Burnham girls Catherine Tolley and Alyssa Jarvis (pictured), will lead the parade.
Road closures come into operation during the evening and full details of the route, car parking, and closures are shown here in Burnham-On-Sea.com’s carnival guide.
Phil New, Chairman of the Carnival Association, told Burnham-On-Sea.com: “Everything is going to plan and we’re delighted that there’s a good list of entries again this year. It promises to be another superb event.”
Visitors watching tonight’s carnival are being advised to rap up warm. Forecasters predict that temperatures will fall to a chilly 7°C and there is a chance of light rain during the evening.
Among the local entries will be Burnham’s Hillview Club with its colourful transport-themed cart, called One Way Ticket, pictured right, which is sure to attract big cheers from the local spectators on its home carnival circuit.
The cart won third place in its category at Friday’s Bridgwater Carnival.
Burnham’s emergency services, including St John Ambulance, Burnham Coastguard, BARB and the fire service, will taking part near the front of the procession ahead of the cavalcade of carts.
RELATED LINKS:
Burnham-On-Sea Carnival 2011
Young members of Burnham’s Hillview Carnival will be taking part tonight
Crowds of people have been viewing the carts in Queen’s Drive
Burnham Rotary Club’s collecting cart will be busy at today’s carnival