Frome Carnival will go ahead this year with an evening-only procession after facing cancellation due to a shortage of volunteers and fundraising challenges.
The carnival committee said it has been struggling in recent years, both financially and physically, with not enough people coming forward to help organise the annual event and fundraise in the run-up.
Thanks to a community grant of £1,000 from Frome Town Council, the carnival will still go ahead with an evening-only procession on Saturday 26th September.
The event is an annual staple of the town’s calendar and costs around £20,000 to run.
The children’s procession will not take place this year, but organisers hope it will return in 2027 for the Carnival’s centenary year. Instead, the committee plans a children’s fancy dress competition at this year’s fun day in the park on Saturday 6th June.
One of the organisers, Mandy Morgan, said, “Please support this event, as it is one of the main sources of income for the carnival.
“We are especially pleased the carnival can go ahead this year, as we are celebrating being part of the Wessex Circuit of carnivals, and Saturday 26th September will mark the 40th anniversary of the first-ever Wessex Carnival.
“However, the support of the town’s businesses in the form of sponsorship is still needed, as the procession costs around £20,000. Overheads for insurance, safety barriers, medical cover, portable toilets, radio hire and more all mount up. The bands and entrants in the procession are paid an appearance fee, so the bigger the parade, the bigger the bills. As Frome is part of the Wessex Circuit of carnivals, a fee is also paid to Wessex for each entry that attends.”
The team also needs more support from local individuals to help organise fundraising events.
Mandy said, “The committee would welcome anyone willing to put on a quiz, bingo or anything else they are good at to raise funds. There will also be the usual duck race, so look out for tickets being on sale later this year.”
The committee will also run an annual 100 club again this year. Anyone buying a ticket for £24 a year enters a monthly draw to win a cash prize.
Carnivals have been held in this area for hundreds of years, and in their present format since 1927. Next year will be the centenary, and the committee hopes to hold a special celebration if more funding and committee members can be found.
“Please join in and be part of something amazing by helping to create a wonderful procession for the centenary year,” said Mandy.
Anyone able to support the carnival, as a business or individual, or seeking more information, can contact the committee by emailing info@fromecarnival.org, messaging the Frome Carnival Facebook page, or using the ‘contact us’ link on www.fromecarnival.org.
Mandy added, “This is your chance to get involved and help support this amazing, long-running and fully inclusive community event.”
Tickets for the 100 club are available via the Facebook page or by emailing info@s
Pictured: Frome Carnival 2025
