“Our best children’s carnival ever!”
Castle Cary and Ansford’s very special 40th anniversary is underway! The sun shone for our first procession, the Ann Hallett Children’s Carnival last Saturday, with around 100 children taking to the streets in a festival of colour and creativity.
“It was definitely our best ever Children’s Carnival” said organiser Claire Hallett, after the procession and surrounded by a crowd of laughing children learning circus skills, making masks, and having their faces painted!
Setting the pace were the Children’s Carnival Prince and Princess, William Weston and Meg Daulton, riding in their very own pony and trap, followed by Cary’s Cygnet Majorettes in spangled new red and black outfits.
The number and quality of the entries was better than ever, including giant papier-mache, Angry Birds, a host of metallic Little Robots and the primary school’s amazing Noah’s Ark.
Committee Treasurer, Jeannie Thanisch said “I love the Children’s Carnival! And having the entertainment at the Market House after the procession made it a proper event.”
Click here for the Ann Hallett Children’s Carnival 2017 Results.
Cary’s Carnival Committee is now looking forward to continuing the 40th anniversary celebrations at this Saturday’s
Illuminated Carnival. The party gets started at 2:30pm outside the Market House with an afternoon of varied live music. The town’s excellent independent shops, cafes and pubs are open, making it a great afternoon out.
And there are some special 40th anniversary attractions in the procession itself; Ansford Academy with their first ever cart, Cary Comedian’s in their comeback year. Also, new attractions like the Bristol Pipes and Drums, from Rio via Bath Jamma de Samba – another first for the carnival. And continuing the international carnival theme, an entry from one of the leading Notting Hill carnival clubs!
Committee General Secretary, Caroline Sharley said, “Thanks to so many people in the town, our wonderful local sponsors and Arts Council England, we are able to celebrate our 40th anniversary in style! The spirit of carnival is alive and very well indeed in our fabulously big-hearted town!”
The procession starts at 7.00pm; there will be parking restrictions on the procession route from the afternoon (any vehicles found parked on the route after this time may be subject to prosecution and may be removed, by Police authorisation). Road closures, in the town centre will be in place from 3:30pm, and around Castle Cary from 6.30pm.