One Wiltshire village is set to kick off a month of carnival celebrations with duck races, fancy dress, dog shows, parades and more.
Pewsey Carnival will return this September and new events have been added to the schedule in celebration of its 126th anniversary.
Events will run from Sunday, September 1, right through to Sunday, September 29, with the main carnival procession through the streets of Pewsey taking place on Saturday, September 21.
The parade, which will feature this year’s ‘royal family’ of youngsters Harlie, Arlo, Freya, Nora and Ellie, will raise funds for local charities Prospect Hospice and Wiltshire Air Ambulance and everyone is encouraged to take part.
But despite funding from Cossor's Shop, carnival costs are more expensive than ever before, so organisers say fundraising is even more important this year.
“Last year was a magnificent celebration of our 125th anniversary and the carnival organisation team are beyond words at the efforts made by the Pewsey Vale community to put on such a show,” said carnival chairman Carol Parsons.
“Due to event costs increasing rapidly, we have some new events added to our calendar this year to help raise extra funds.
“I am also proud to announce that we will once again be supporting Wiltshire Air Ambulance and Prospect Hospice who we have recently donated £1000 to each beneficiary from last year’s Carnival.
“It would be lovely to aim higher this year, so please do spread the word and encourage friends and family to donate where possible throughout the carnival.”
Here's everything you need to know ahead of Pewsey Carnival 2024:
Events
The main carnival procession will take place on Saturday, September 21, leaving from Carnival Field in Pewsey at 7.30pm, and schools, organisations, businesses and families are encouraged to take part.
Other events you can look forward to throughout the month include:
- Sunday, Sept 1: Bowls tournament from 9.30am at Pewsey Bowls Club
- Monday, Sept 2: Carnival golf at North Wilts Golf Club
- Thursday, Sept 5: Talk by James Archard from 7.30pm at Bouverie Hall
- Friday, Sept 6: Carnival ball from 6.30pm at Bouverie Hall. Tickets from £50.
- Saturday, Sept 7: Carnival darts from 3.30pm at Moonraker. £5 per entry.
- Sunday, Sept 8: Opening ceremony from 6.45pm at Pewsey Fire Station. Yoga from 11am at Coopers Arm Field.
- Tuesday, Sept 10: Bingo from 7.30pm at Bouverie Hall. Over 16s only.
- Wednesday, Sept 11: Carnival crib from 7pm at the Bowls Club.
- Friday, Sept 13: A night at the musicals, from 7.30pm at Bouverie Hall.
- Saturday, Sept 14: Duck race, from 1pm starting by the Community Tea Rooms. Children's three-legged fancy dress race with barbeque, from 4.30pm at the Football Club. Wine event from 6pm at the Football Club. Beatles tribute night from 7.30pm at Bouverie Hall.
- Sunday, Sept 15: Feast tea, from 2.30pm at Bouverie Hall.
- Tuesday, Sept 17: Race night from 7.30pm at Bouverie Hall.
- Wednesday, Sept 18: Chis Giddings guitar workshop at St John's Church
- Thursday, Sept 19: Wheelberro event from 7.30pm at Bouverie Hall.
- Sunday, Sept 22: Closing ceremony and presentations, from 6.45pm on Bouverie Hall
- Tuesday, Sept 24: Carnival quiz from 7.30pm at Bouverie Hall.
- Saturday, Sept 28: Carnival skittles, from 7.30pm at Woodborough Social Club
- Sunday, Sept 29: Carnival dog show from 3pm at Coopers Arms Field
Road closures
On Thursday, September 19, between 6.30pm and 11pm, the following roads will be closed either fully or in part for the wheelbarrow event:
- A345 Market Place, Wilcot Road, Rawlins Road, Slaters Road, The Crescent, B3087, Southcott Road.
On Saturday, September 21, between 6pm and 11pm, the following roads will be closed fully or in part for the Pewsey feast and carnival procession:
- A345 Marlborough Road, A345 North Street, A345 Market Place, River Street, Church Street, The Crescent, Slater Road, Rawlins Road,Wilcot Road, B3087 Market Place, A345 Swan Road.
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