Frome to come alive with ‘biggest ever’ carnival procession

The streets of Frome will come alive this month with the return of the town’s spectacular carnival procession, which is set to be the biggest to date.

The carnival will return on Saturday 20th September starting with the children’s carnival procession leaving Victoria Park at 2.30pm followed by a show-stopping evening display that will weave its way through town from 7pm.

In the evening, vibrant and decorative floats will travel through the town starting at the Marston Trading Estate and into the centre of Frome down Bath Street, led by various groups and individuals in fancy dress walking, dancing and performing as they wave to crowds lining the streets.

For all the information about the carnival in Frome, a tradition which was established in 1929, residents are encouraged to purchase a Carnival programme and be in with the chance of winning £50 if their programme contains ‘the lucky number’ that will be drawn after the carnival procession.

One of the organisers Mandy Morgan said, “Please support our Light Up Sellers by purchasing from them. Our prices will be a lot cheaper than the street traders, who make thousands and do not give anything to the local community. Helping us sell our Light ups this year are: Timsbury FC and The Atheneum Masqueraders Group, who we will be sharing the profits made equally with.  Our official sellers will be displaying official sellers’ signs and wearing our official Frome Carnival tabards.”

Each year the carnival raises funds for local causes. This year’s beneficiaries this year are WHY (We hear you), Frome Musical Theatre Company and Keyford Hedgehog Rescue.

Mandy said, “Please bring your loose change with you, or we will also have card readers available. You can also donate to the beneficiaries by scanning the QR code which the collectors will have available.  It will also be displayed on the side of our collection carts.”

Children’s Carnival

Registration for the Children’s Carnival opens at Victoria Park at 1pm. Judging will start promptly at 1.30pm, with the procession leaving at 2.30pm.

The procession will follow a one-mile route up Weymouth Road, down Somerset Road, Butts Hill, along Christchurch Street and then back up Weymouth Road to Victoria Park.

Evening Carnival

The majorettes’ procession will leave at 6.45pm, followed by the main procession at 7pm, which will both leave from the Marston Trading Estate and head towards the town centre, ‘wowing’ crowds as the processions move down Bath Street.

“This year’s carnival is set to the one of the biggest yet,” said organiser, Mandy Morgan. “The carnival team are working hard behind the scenes to get everything ready.”

Volunteer

The team are still looking for volunteers to support with programme selling and helping with the collection.

There is a competition for the best dressed single and group of collectors and entries are accepted right up until carnival day.

“Coordinating our carnival takes a team of over 60 volunteer marshals, collectors, judges, program sellers, a private medical team of first aiders, cycle responders and ambulances, Wessex 4×4 Response recovery services, the South Western Ambulance Service, the Frome Fire Station who also host our event control. Various other traders, volunteers, security staff and teams from other carnivals coming together to put out nearly 60 advisory signs, over 400 traffic cones and hundreds of barriers. There are too many to name.

“Thank you to the silent army who work behind the scenes for their community, not for thanks but for the joy and benefit of our community.”

This year’s carnival royalty was selected at the recent Carnival Family Fun Day. Frome’s ‘royal family’ are Princess Mia Rogers, Princess Jasmine Clayton, Ambassador Leeandra Toop, Prince Riley O’Loughlin, Princess Azarsa Toop and Princess Jessica Buckland.

To keep up to date with the Frome carnival and for information about road closures visit the website www.fromecarnival.org.uk and keep an eye on the Facebook page.

Pictures: the 2024 carnival