SUMMER sunshine bathed Watchet for the town’s annual carnival weekender with a harbourside fiesta on Saturday afternoon (July 27) and a fayre on the Memorial Ground on Sunday.
Fiesta day was held on The Esplanade and in Swain Street, Market Street, and various venues around the town as the event continued into the evening.
Town crier Dave Milton leads the Bideford Youth Pipe Band through the town to start the Watchet Carnival Weekender. PHOTO: Peter Mather.
It was fancy dress time at Watchet carnival's fiesta on the Esplanade. PHOTO: Peter Mather.
Kat Collett led a hula hoop workshop. PHOTO: Peter Mather.
Bideford Youth Pipe Band parading through Watchet. PHOTO: Peter Mather.
Entertaining crowds were the Skintight Samba Band. PHOTO: Peter Mather.
Somerset Red Arrows Majorettes were among the performers for Watchet Carnival Weekender. PHOTO: Peter Mather.
Where there are West Somerset Morris dancers, there are musicians, too. PHOTO: Peter Mather.
Crowds packed The Esplanade for the annual Watchet Carnival Weekender fiesta. PHOTO: Peter Mather.
Daredevil entertainment at Watchet Carnival Weekender fair was provided by the Vander Super Heroes Wheel of Death Show. PHOTO: Peter Mather.
Watchet Town Band performed at the town's carnival weekender fayre. PHOTO: Peter Mather.
South Coast Waves Cheerleaders displaying their skills. PHOTO: Peter Mather.
Dinosaur petting was one of the highlights for young visitors to the Watchet Carnival Weekender fayre. PHOTO: Peter Mather.
Town crier Dave Milton leads the Bideford Youth Pipe Band through the town to start the Watchet Carnival Weekender. PHOTO: Peter Mather.
It was fancy dress time at Watchet carnival's fiesta on the Esplanade. PHOTO: Peter Mather.
Kat Collett led a hula hoop workshop. PHOTO: Peter Mather.
Bideford Youth Pipe Band parading through Watchet. PHOTO: Peter Mather.
Entertaining crowds were the Skintight Samba Band. PHOTO: Peter Mather.
Somerset Red Arrows Majorettes were among the performers for Watchet Carnival Weekender. PHOTO: Peter Mather.
Where there are West Somerset Morris dancers, there are musicians, too. PHOTO: Peter Mather.
Crowds packed The Esplanade for the annual Watchet Carnival Weekender fiesta. PHOTO: Peter Mather.
Daredevil entertainment at Watchet Carnival Weekender fair was provided by the Vander Super Heroes Wheel of Death Show. PHOTO: Peter Mather.
Watchet Town Band performed at the town's carnival weekender fayre. PHOTO: Peter Mather.
South Coast Waves Cheerleaders displaying their skills. PHOTO: Peter Mather.
Dinosaur petting was one of the highlights for young visitors to the Watchet Carnival Weekender fayre. PHOTO: Peter Mather.
The entertainment included hula hoop shows with circus skills and workshops with Kat Collett, displays by Somerset Red Arrows Majorettes and Skintight Samba Band, and appearances by West Somerset Morris dancers.
There was also a short concert by Watchet Community Choir, and a session with Peter Kay and his chair exercise group.
Watchet Town Crier Dave Milton led the opening procession with Bideford Youth Pipe Band parading through the town.
A carnival spokesperson said: “We have enjoyed a brilliant day. Absolutely amazing.
“Thank you to our spectacular and extremely talented entertainers who made the fiesta a really special and splendid time for everybody.
“Thank you to the many shops, cafes, businesses, pubs, and clubs who made Watchet a colourful, energized fiesta town with a great atmosphere.
“It was wonderful to see so many fantastic costumes at the fiesta.
“Thank you very much for all your hard work and creativity. We really appreciate it.”
Fiesta fancy dress results:
Fancy Dress winner - Punch and Judy (Debbie Russell)
Best themed shop - Clara Mann Hair Design, ‘Mad Hatter/Alice in Wonderland’
Best themed pub/club - The London Inn, ‘Home or Away’
The fun weekend continued with the fayre on Sunday, which saw Raptors World dinosaurs roaming the Memorial Ground and a daredevil stunt performance with the Vander Super Heroes Wheel of Death Show.
Wellington Majorettes, South Coast Waves Cheerleaders, and Watchet Town Band all gave performances for the crowds, and there were opportunities to try zumba with Katie Waite.
All the money raised from the carnival weekender and other events held throughout the year goes to support local ‘good causes’ and to keep the carnival growing.
The spokesperson said: “Although the main event takes place in July, it is also about a host of fun community events we put on throughout the year.”
Comments
We've recently changed our login process. If you have an account for commenting, you will need to re-register on the login window.
This article has no comments yet. Be the first to leave a comment.