Record crowd cheers return of the carts!
Castle Cary’s narrow streets resounded to cheers from a record crowd as people flocked to celebrate the returning noise and lights of the carts, and stunning creativity of the walking entries.
Encouraged by great weather, a bumper crowd gathered in Castle Cary last Saturday night to celebrate the tradition, and creativity of carnival!
Last year Cary hosted a Community Carnival of walking entries to celebrate the end of pandemic restrictions. So, it was even more amazing to see the massive carts once again light up the town’s narrow streets like daylight. They punctuated a wonderfully varied procession of bands, majorettes and an incredible array of walking entries.
The creativity and quality of the entries was higher than ever. The Clubs have clearly put their pandemic time to good use!
The Carnival Society were thrilled to see three local schools entering the procession. Countess Gytha Primary School won the Intra Schools competition as 50 children made for a very long caterpillar! With Wincanton Primary and Ansford Academy having such a great time, coming second and third didn’t matter!
“It was great to see the community come together in numbers that I’ve never see before” said Carnival Society Chair, Paul Burch. “Entrants commented on how warm and welcoming the crowd was. I saw loads of people dancing and cheering – really enjoying the spectacle. A huge thank you to everyone who came out and supported carnival in our towns.”
The crowd’s favourite entry went to the local club, Cary Comedians cheeky entry Ship-faced, An amazing float in its own right – let alone as a comedy entry. The best tableau going to the mesmerising entry 32 Fathoms Deep from Magnum Carnival Club.
Once again competition for best overall entry was nail-biting with the awe-inspiring Hot Rock Carnival Club and their gold-rush inspired cart narrowing missing out to the mighty Kipling Carnival Club’s grease-ball garage Rusty’s.
Setting the standard of walking entries was the tingling Iced Age from Dee Gees Carnival Club, Dreams Come True Carnival Club buzzed around the route with their winning entry Bee Happy, and never had the walking dead looked cuter than on the Mini Reveller’s Day of the Dead cart.
And congratulations to the top-twirling the Ilchester Gems who came first in the majorettes’ competition.
“70% of the collection goes to local charitable causes so we’re delighted to say that that from both carnivals we raised £2,300. A very big thank you to our ever-generous community!” said Doug Barnett, Carnival Society Treasurer.
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. Carnival spirit is alive and well in Cary!