Thousands of people lined the streets on Saturday to see Melksham Carnival return bigger than ever, with a record number of entries.
This year’s procession featured dancers, a marching band, bikers and characters ranging from superheroes and Disney princesses, all parading through the town in brightly decorated vehicles and on foot.
The procession was led by a group of bikers in costumes who interacted enthusiastically with the crowd. They were followed by the carnival royalty in open-top cars and various entries from dance groups, schools, sports clubs and businesses from the town and beyond.
The event returned on 13th July after a break last year and followed a new route through Melksham, starting and finishing at King Street Car Park.
Member of the carnival committee, Michelle Brightwell said, “First of all, thank you to our wonderful public for the hundreds of smiles, waves, thanks and well wishes. We do what we do because we love it, and we hope you do too!
“Thank you to our amazing entrants. You blew us away with your commitment and understanding. The car park was small and cosy, to say the least, but everyone was so happy to be there. The atmosphere was buzzing!”
Melksham’s mayor Tom Price said, “It was so nice to see the carnival return this year and for myself and my family to take part. It is such a community asset and another example of the community coming together to put on a fantastic event. Since seeing the carnival as a child, I have to say this year was clearly the biggest and best ever.”
The carnival committee, made up from volunteers in the town, thanked those who helped make this year’s event happen.
“We want to send big thanks to so many people,” said Michelle.
“Royalty Glamour Squad, Belle of the Ball Bridals and Paula Goldstraw for the amazing dresses, tiaras and alterations. Libra Hair Studio, Glow and Tops Hair Salon & Beauty for stunning hair styling for the royals. Meads of Melksham for their never-ending support and enthusiasm for carnival and donating cars and drivers to escort the royalty en route.
“Thank you to Melksham Music and Drama for organising shelter from the rain for the royalty and to Evie’s Cafe for lunch and the Market Tavern for dinner. Thank you to The Cobblers Bench for all the engraving on our trophies and to the Melksham News and Melksham Town Council for their support in planning and promoting our event as well as photographing us on the day, and to Linda de Santiz for her photography skills.
“We also want to thank Armadillo Groundworks, Hills Recycling and Coppard Plant Hire for their loan of diggers, drivers and bin trucks as requested by our public. Thank you to Frome Street Carnival for bringing along their collection truck as well as an adorable Thomas the Tank Engine, their support and our budding friendship is amazing.
“We turned heads with submarines and Harleys, whilst keeping traditional acts such as dance groups and mascots. You did yourselves proud.”
As is tradition in Melksham Carnival, members of the public picked their favourite entries in the procession. The winners were: Best Float, Meads of Melksham; Best Walking Group, Dreams that Glitter Princess Parties; Best school, Broughton Gifford Preschool; Best Performance, 4Stars Dance; Best Individual, Sam D from White Horse Military Show; Royalty Choice, White Horse Military Show; Mayor’s Choice, Trotters Independent Traders; and Town Crier’s Choice, the Aldridgeson family.
“See you all in 2025”, Michelle added.
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