Castle Cary’s Annual Children’s Carnival 2013.

Castle Cary’s annual Children’s Carnival took place under warm sunny skies, last Saturday afternoon; the organisers rate it as a success. The collection taken from spectators is expected to amount to around £300, which will help maintain next year’s Cary carnivals and support local deserving causes.

Carnival Society committee member Paul Hansford said, “We certainly got lucky with the weather and although last year’s carnival set new standards, this year’s lived up to those in all respects: we had another high turnout, with excellent costumes, props and inventive routines in the procession.”

The awards for Most Entertaining Entry and Best Entrant Overall went to Castle Cary Primary School, for their Egyptian Adventure entry which included a complicated dance routine. The award for Best Props went to the 1st Castle Cary Cub Scouts (for their entry, Cary 5-0). Bradley Edwards took the award for Most Original Entry (Alien) and Isla Briody took the Chairman’s Choice prize for her enchanting Little Miss Christmas costume.

Cary Children’s Carnival organiser Ann Hallett said, “The Consti Club – where we give out the prizes, and a goody-bag for every child who enters after the procession – was packed with children and parents. It proves again what a vital family and community event this is. I thank the marshals, judges, collectors and others – from Cary and the wider carnival community – who help us make it happen.”

Castle Cary’s Illuminated Carnival takes place next Saturday night (12 October) with all the usual major club entries already confirmed. Road closures will be in place from 7pm until around 11pm around approaches to the town and – for the first time this year – on all streets along the procession route. Details of the new closures are available in the Carnival Society’s Programme (from Castle Cary’s high street shops and Cary’s Carnival Society committee members).