Launceston Carnival is a huge part of Lanson’s annual list of traditions and, after a two-year break due to Covid-19, we can’t wait to welcome back this wonderful community event to the town.
With carnival day on Saturday 8th October, the event is making a comeback this year after a two-year break due to Covid-19, and it promises to return with a bang.
Starting at 7.15pm from Newport Industrial Estate, the carnival will follow its usual route to arrive in the Town Square, featuring an abundance of carnival floats - from the weird and wonderful, sparkly and vibrant, to the noisy and silly, there will be something for everyone to marvel at this year.
Chairman Dave Gordon is at the helm of the carnival committee, and is looking forward to welcoming back the community to this special event, encouraging everyone to get as involved as possible. After a two-year break from the carnival, this is the perfect time to embrace your creativity and imagination - build a fantastic float and dress up as silly or as sparkly as you like to truly wow the crowds!
Dave said: “This is the first carnival we’ve done in two years and I think people have got their confidence back when it comes to going out. The carnival is always a good thing for the town, it doesn’t matter what age you are!”
As part of the carnival, celebrations will run in the week leading up to the event, including the best dressed window competition, scarecrow competition and carnival royalty crowing in the afternoon of the big day. On Friday 30th September, there will be a quiz in the town hall too!
Carnival night will see the Square filled with children’s rides, hot food and music to keep the masses well-fed and entertained. The parade will be led by this year’s carnival royalty, Carnival Queen Holly Cornish and Carnival Princesses Nora and Darcie Basford, followed by a huge range of floats occupied by local businesses and groups. With 16 categories to win prizes in, the committee encourages as many groups and people as possible to enter a float into the carnival parade - there is no limit to the number of entries!
To bring the evening to a close, there will be a fantastic fireworks display over the valley which can be watched from the Castle grounds - free to attend!
Dave continued: “I’m looking forward to it being a success; it’s always a lovely atmosphere in the town. It’s great to see people out and having a laugh.
“If you’re interested in the carnival, please get involved! That’s what makes the carnival - seeing everyone having a laugh and the kids enjoying themselves!”
One of the main events of the carnival is the annual crowning of the carnival royalty, which will take place at 12pm in the Square on Saturday 8th October, ahead of the main event that evening. Holly, Nora and Darcie were chosen as the royalty at Coronation Park in June, during the same time as Queen Elizabeth II’s Platinum Jubilee celebrations, and the girls are very much looking forward to having their special day, leading the carnival parade through the town in all their finery - like real royalty!
If you would like to enter a float in this year’s Launceston Carnival, go to http://launceston-carnival.co.uk/ to fill in the form. If you would like to help the committee with future events, call Dave on 01566 774706 or go to the website for more information.
Read the full article in your autumn Launceston Life, which is being delivered this week, or pop into our office on Market Street to collect a copy...
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