THE town is gearing up for its highly anticipated annual carnival procession.

Tonight, Taunton will see the return of its favourite time of year as children and adults alike dress up to parade the streets on floats or on foot.

Thousands of people will be ready to line the roads as they watch the impressive performances pass by.

Marilyn House, chairman of the event, said she was looking forward to another excellent occasion.

She said: “I’d like to say that we are very excited about this year’s carnival.

“The official carnival sellers will be walking the route alongside a van, kindly provided by City Plumming, selling balloons, flashing toys and whistles.

“We very much hope that people will buy from them, instead of from the usual pedlars, and in this way keep their money in the area to be donated to local charities and organisations and to ensure the future of carnival.

“Our sellers can be identified by the clearly marked blue tabards they will be wearing.”

The main cause this year is violence prevention charity Stand Against Violence (SAV), and all funds raised will go towards the charity.

Treasurer Roz Swinburne said: “We’re happy to be supporting the charity in its tenth year.

“SAV is included in our daytime activities on Castle Green so come along and find out more about them.

“During the evening procession there will be dozens of official collectors on the ground, please empty your pockets and give them a busy and successful night.”

The carnival will include 11 floats and a selection of walking entries.

The procession will be headed by a parade of Harley Davidson motorbikes followed by the Batala Samba Band from Bristol. Roads will close in the town centre at 6.30pm on Saturday night and the parade will begin at 7pm.

The route will begin on Tangier Way, turning into Bridge Street then make its way through the town, along North Street, East Street and East Reach before finishing at the end of East Reach and joins Chritchard Way. Activities will be taking place throughout the day on Castle Green, including a raffle with prizes donated by local businesses, live music, historic vehicles and children’s rides and entertainment in Goodland Gardens.

This year’s carnival royalty includes Queen Carly Chapman and Princess Elsa Whitworth with runners-up Charlotte McGurk and Mya Goodman.

Taunton’s procession is the last in the South Somerset Federation of Carnivals committee circuit which has so far seen parades in Wellington, Ilminster and Chard.

The list of this year's participants: 

Totally Awesome Toys

Batala Samba Band

Ringwood Public Address

Miss Taunton, The Carnival Queen and Princess - Support Car

Miss Taunton, The Carnival Queen and Princess - Float

New Direction

Taunton Scouts

Unicorn CC

Oake Manor Golf Club

Lucy Thomas

Generations CC

Osscar Collins

Fantasy CC

One Plus One CC

Xtreme CC

Somerset & West Country Stairlifts

Genesis Youth Theatre

Berrys Coaches

Wellington Pantomime Group

Lyme Regis Majorettes

Sid Vale CC

Jared Colclough

Staplegrove Scouts

Lily Cumming

Bob Davies Transport Ltd

Ilminster Majorettes

Wookey Hole Ltd

Poppe Inne CC

Children's Hospice SW

Jess CC

Denis Pearce

Blakes Coaches Ltd

Blakes Coaches Ltd

Brewhouse Theatre

Bounce + Bum

Brean Leisure Park

Eclipse Juniors CC

Judy Williams

Dee Gees CC

Berrys Coaches

Mass

Thornfalcon Motors

Shooting Stars Pantomime Company

Smokefreelife Somerset

Wellington Majorettes

Miss Wellington

The Academy of Carnival

Lorna Stephenson

Nancy Stephenson

Harbourside CC

Taunton Gang Show

The Octagon Theatre

Mark Pengellys Schools of Kickboxing

Spirit CC

Gemini CC

1st + 3rd Taunton Boys Brigade & Girls Assoc

Denis Pearce

Apple Campers

Apple FM with the Buses of Somerset

Karizma Majorettes

Miss Chard

Friends CC

The Old Moo Shed

The  Parker School of Dance

Jiggle CC

Bridgwater Guy Fawkes CC

Atlantic Radio

Make Performing Arts

Kiddi Caru Nursery supporting Home Start

Merriott Majorettes

Zem CC

Blackbrook & Silver Street Guides

Eclipse CC

Wayfarers Pantomime Society

RJ CC

Nunsford Nutters CC

Deane DLO

A & A CC

South West Mondeo Charity Car Club

Harlequin CC

Breakdown Lorry