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
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