Floats - Woodchurch Carnival

Carnival Floats

The Parade – thank you to anyone taking part! We have about 13 floats – walking or vehicles. The Band of the Princess of Wales’s Military Band will be leading the Parade at 12.00.

There will be a mystery celebraty TV personality who will open the Parade at 12.00 sharp.

We would like all the floats to muster beforehand at 11.15 at the latest. Once you get there Pat Byrne will be there as a Parade Marshal. He will meet you and check your floats and people to ensure that they are safe to go onto the Parade. Once that is done you will receive a certificate which will also contain all the judging information.

There is a panel of judges who will be judging the floats and at the end of the day awards will be presented.

The route – is on the website. It goes from the school, down Front Road. When the Parade gets to the Surgery that is an opportunity for those who can’t do the whole parade to jump on at that point (jump on point one). The Parade then goes up Lower Road until the Jean Mealham Popin Centre which is jump on point two. Another opportunity to join the Parade to say that you were part of the Parade even if you can’t do the whole Parade.

You must make the Carnival aware in advance if you intend to use either of the jump on points. Email enquiries@woodchurchcarnival.uk or contact Pat Byrne direct.

Trophy plaques will be awarded on Carnival Day for the following:

Best Mobile Float
Best Pedestrian Float
Best Child Costume
Best Adult Costume

and

Woodchurch in Bloom winner of the Front Garden Competition

Are you thinking of entering a float into this year’s Carnival? Below you will find answers to some common questions that will help you get started. Building a Carnival float can be a great project & doesn’t have to be expensive if you work as a group & plan things together. It can also be a great social project during the planning stages, if you work with friends & family.

What do I need to make a Carnival Float?

The "floats" do not need to be a tractor, lorry, trailer - they could be:

- a walking individual or group

- a towed car trailer

- other mobile floats including bicycles, mobility scooters, roller skates, stake board ...

Plus wood and/or cardboard, paint, plus some items for props and fancy dress.

I do not have access to any of the above, so how do I get hold of them?

Speak to people, get together with friends & family, someone always knows someone else who has many of the items needed. If you contact your local farmer & ask them if they can help you, many are happy to let you have access to a tractor & trailer.

Is it going to be costly?

There will obviously be some cost involved, but be resourceful. Working as a group can often reduce much of the cost, if you all work together.

What about Health & Safety?

Yes there are H&S issues & we give all entries the basic simple rules we ask you to follow, but these rules really are common sense. As event organisers we want everyone to be safe, including those taking part, & the public who watch, but also to have fun.

When do I start making my float?

The time to start thinking of making a float is ideally four or five months before the carnival. Again working as a group, you can start to collect the things you need, then put your ideas together with an aim at starting to build the float approx. two weeks before carnival.

Do I need Insurance?

No, there is no need for you to take out additional insurance. Again, providing you adhere to the simple H&S rules, act responsibly etc, you will be fine & you will have great fun. The provider of your vehicle will need to be covered for the vehicle insurance.