Bridport Carnival has announced its carnival princess and what is believed to be its first carnival prince as the town gears up for celebrations this weekend.
During the crowning, which took place on Monday (August 15), Carnival Princess went to 8-year-old Willow Jeffrey and Carnival Prince went to 8-year-old Oliver Barnett.
As members of the carnival, they and their two companions, Maisie Grace Loveless, 11, and Millie Frampton, 12, will lead the carnival procession on Saturday and the torchlight procession on Sunday.
A spokesman for Bridport Carnival said: “The coronation went really well on Monday. We hope that all regular events such as quizzes, bingo and darts will be supported as usual, with a particular emphasis on the new Battle of the Buskers carnival event, a great new family event taking place on Thursday (18 August ) from 18:00 rugby club.
Saturday will kick off with music by the Wessex Band in Bucky Doo Square from 10am and a crab competition in the Angling Center at 10.45am. The 6.45pm parade has seen all sorts of past years, from those dressing up as King Henry and his six wives to a parody of the Red Arrows using wheelbarrows called ‘red barrows’. At the end of the procession, winners will be chosen for the best performances and given trophies to mark their achievements. The evening will then conclude with square dancing until late.
Sunday is the final day of the carnival and there will be the hugely popular torchlight procession through the town, with torches going on sale at 6pm. The procession will leave at 21:00 for the beach where there will be dancing and fireworks to end the carnival.
A spokesman added: “I think it’s fair to say that after Tuesday’s flooding we’re not as concerned as we were about the dry conditions for the torchlight procession, but we’re still asking residents of West Bay Road to take effect. & see, but please bring a bucket of water – just in case! It’s your carnival, so make some!”
