Thousands of people will line the streets on tonight (Saturday) for this year’s spectacular Wellington Carnival.
With more than 60 entries, the parade promises to be one of the best yet … but the fun starts much earlier in the day and continues late into the night.
The annual Carnival Motor Show takes place in the Conservative Club car park from 10am until 3pm
With free admission, there are more than 50 cars and tractors entered, along with nearly 20 bikes.
The Conservative Club will be open to non-members throughout the day, with food available.
The Carnival itself leaves Rockwell Green at 7.30pm, proceeding through town to the Longforth Farm roundabout.
All of the regulars have entered including Harlequin, Gemini, Nunsford Nutters from Devon, 0ne Plus One and Rubalo in the Large Cart sections.
There are also three clubs new to the Wellington procession including one from the town itself – Unicorn Carnival Club.
Local schools and dance groups are also taking part along with a selection of majorettes and many other organisations.
Carnival programme sellers will be walking the route ahead of the parade – the information-packed guide is only £1 and also offers the chance to win some great prizes.
Wellington Carnival Committee say: “If you are considering where to watch the parade, the quietest part of the route is from the Youth Centre to the bottom of Champford Lane.
“We hope you enjoy the entertainment, and please give generously to the collection either to the official collecting buckets or the collecting trailers.
“This year, collectors will be wearing official collectors’ armbands and using sealed green collecting buckets – except for the Fire Service who, by tradition, collect in large black buckets.
“If you want to buy food from one of the catering units in town, please make sure they have an Authorised Catering Sign as these are the only ones authorised to trade at our Carnival.
“And, finally, enjoy the night – eat drink and be merry but please take your rubbish home or plastic glass back into the pub they came from – THANK YOU.”
CARNIVAL ROAD CLOSURES
The stretch of road from Perry Elm roundabout to the junction of Bagley Road by The Pet Supplies Shop will have, from 2pm til 6pm, a one-way system running in that which will then turn into a complete road closure from 6pm
All roads feeding on to the main road through Wellington will have a road closure from 6.30pm until 11pm.
The road closure finishes at the Longforth Farm roundabout. Obviously, emergency access will be permitted.
Although the closures are up until 11pm, the junctions will open as soon as the marshals on that junction feel it is safe to do so.
However, they may instruct vehicles to go in a particular direction if crowds further along the route have not dispersed sufficiently to make it safe to proceed.
Please comply with any instructions a marshal may give you – they are done for a reason.
Around Wellington is proud to be the Official Media Partner of Wellington Carnival.