CARY’S BIG CARNIVAL NIGHT OUT!
Castle Cary was buzzing as record breaking crowds turned out for the biggest procession in years.
Castle Cary was in party mood on carnival night to welcome its biggest procession in years! The narrow streets lit up, as phenomenal floats, imaginative walkers, twirling majorettes and toe-tapping bands streamed through the town – receiving a great welcome from the lively crowd who were up for great night out!
“Carnival brings our community together like nothing else,” says Carnival Society Chair, Malcolm Wake. “Entrants always say that Cary Carnival is special because the crowd is friendly. We proved that with cheers and dancing in the streets!”
“The biggest cheers of the night went to the local entries, especially the Scouts and local schools” continues Malcolm. “The numbers of children and the creativity of the entries was great to see!”
Countess Gytha Primary School had a milky way of mini Cosmonauts to win the Inter Schools Cup, with Castle Cary’s own Higlets with their magical entry Wu Long won the highly contested category Group Juvenile with props. Castle Cary’s own carnival club Comedians, did us proud with amazing high energy dancing, and real ‘bucking bronco’s! seeming to ride down the high street.
“There were so many incredibly creative walking entries; I’m glad I wasn’t judging!” said Society General Secretary, Caroline Sharley. Best Masqueraders (walkers) Overall went to the evocative Dark Flight from Krodie Carnival Club, with Spectators Choice, and Best Overall Runner-up float going to the extraordinary jungle-adventure Return of the Tribe, from epic Hot Rock Carnival Club.
The wax-work Tableau float from Magnum CC, The Ivory Realm, drew breaths of amazement from the crowd and the repeated question “how do they do it?”
With the standard of entries even higher, a huge shout out to Best Overall Cart winners, Insane Experiments, with the dance-inducing soundtrack “Let’s do the timewarp again” Kipling.
Finally, congratulations to the sparkling Ilchester Gems for high-stepping into first place in the majorettes’ competition.
“Over 70% of the collection goes to local charitable causes so we’re delighted to say that that from both carnivals we raised over £1700. A very big thank you to our ever-generous community!” said Doug Crosse, Carnival Treasurer.
Incredible local business support
The Carnival Society would like to thank everyone; our sponsors, marshals, collectors and the 100’s of other people who help make our big night out happen. Sponsorship from local businesses and families was up more than 30% this year, showing how important it is to them to be part of their community. A very special thank you for their support.
After all, it takes a community to put on a carnival!