Crowd numbers at Burnham-On-Sea’s annual carnival were down from previous years – but the 20,000 people who attended were treated to a spectacular display.
Dozens of illuminated floats rolled through town on Monday evening at the 65th annual Highbridge and Burnham Carnival.
The muskets and tricorn hats of the Revolution were on show from Bridgwater’s Gremlins Carnival Club, pictured above, which scooped the top award on the night for ‘best in procession’ and ‘best feature’ – its fourth win of the carnival season so far.
Masqueraders Carnival Club’s polar bear themed entry, ‘Journey of The Polar Bear Queen’, won second place, and drew praise from judges and spectators alike for scattering snow behind it!
Some of the biggest cheers of the night were for Burnham’s Hillview Carnival Club, whose float, Hollywood Hotel, was popular with locals. The club came second in its class and picked up well-deserved wins for best local entry, Chairman’s Local Choice and most outstanding local costume. See all the results and winners here.
This year’s Carnival Queen, Jenna Picton, and her princesses, Burnham girls Rachael Nicol and Lily Kilduff, led the procession through town, with Burnham Olympic torch bearers Tony Bird, Jason Vickers and Katrina Doyle behind.
While the crowds were large at the start and in parts of the town centre, organisers felt they were more sparse along Love Lane and the High Street.
“The crowds were definitely down and it wasn’t as busy as last year but it was still a brilliant evening,” Chairman Phil New told Burnham-On-Sea.com.
Masqueraders Carnival Club’s polar bear entry came complete with snow!
Carnival Queen, Jenna Picton, and her princesses, Rachael Nicol and Lily Kilduff
Highbridge’s Lucy Gunter dancers were on top form at Monday’s event
Collectors of all ages helped gather charity cash during the carnival
Gemini Carnival Club’s Race Time Starlight Express was a colourful tableaux
Highbridge’s Lucy Gunter dancers at the start of the carnival parade
Burnham Lions helped sell programmes and collect donations from spectators
Burnham’s rescue hovercraft crew were a part of the procession
Members of Burrnham’s Hillview Carnival Club had a great night
Burnham’s Coastguaards also joined the big parade through Burnham
Burnham’s Olympic torch bearers – Tony Bird, Jason Vickers and Katrina Doyle – at the start of the procession
FULL COVERAGE OF THE 2012 CARNIVAL:
Results from the Carnival
Video from the Carnival
Police report no crime at Carnival
