Shropshire Star

Thousands turn out for Bridgnorth Carnival - with pictures

It was a procession of Disney princesses, superheroes and even featured a summer-themed Santa Claus – and the crowds at Bridgnorth Carnival loved it.

Published
Members from Lisa Beards Fitness were raising money for the Rupert’s Revenge charity

Thousands of people lined the route from Nock Deighton’s Livestock and Auction Centre, through the High Street and then on to Severn Park in support of a parade of classic cars, floats and community groups. Crowds cheers as each came into view.

Bridgnorth Town Council’s clerk Anne Wilson said the idea behind the event was to entertain people of all ages.

And entertained they were, with dozens of stalls, rides and games to take part in.

The parade started at about 12pm, and arrived in the High Street around 20 minutes later.

From people dressed as oompa loompas to a lorryload of children dressed as dalmatians, there was a wide variety of costumes and floats on display.

There was even a chance to snatch a rare glimpse of Father Christmas in his shorts.

Many of those involved in the parade were taking the chance to raise money for their own events later in the year or for charity.

A number of the floats were raising money for Rupert's Revenge, a group set up for six-year-old Rupert Beckett.

Money raised will help the Castlefields Primary School pupil to receive specialist treatment in America for his rare form of cancer.

Michael Faraday, 37, from Telford, said he had travelled to Bridgnorth with his two daughters for something a bit different.

"They put on a very good show," he said.

"There was lots of different people dressed up – you didn't know who was going to come around the corner next.

"The classic cars were more my thing. You could smell the petrol coming off them before you could see them!

"There was something for all of us, and a lot of them were marching for a good cause too."

Severn Park was filled with rides, stalls and even a giant Ghostbusters Stay Puft Marshmallow man.

Hugely popular, families spent hours exploring the funfair, animal shows and bands.

Melissa Picken, 23, from Bridgnorth said: "It's been fantastic.

"You'd need to be here all day to see everything. We started with the parade and then walked down from High Street to see everything else.

"The fun fair is great fun and there's loads of others things to see as well.

"The organisers have really outdone themselves."

The carnival, one of the town's biggest events of the year, is organised by Bridgnorth Town Council with the help of Shropshire Council.

The majority of stalls paid to attend, with refreshment stalls and the fun fair offering a percentage of their takings to help boost the event's small budget, which for 2017 stood at £5,000.