The magic of Carnival is set to return to the city after a gap of 24 years thanks to InExeter.
Exeter’s new carnival will take place on Saturday 26 November with an illuminated parade starting at 6pm. The carnival will travel across the city and celebrate the Exeter community.
BID Manager Ann Hunter at InExeter said: “After the pandemic lockdown, our aim for Christmas 2022 was to make this a community-focused event and what better way to deliver this than to bring back the Exeter Carnival. This event will celebrate and showcase Exeter as a creative and vibrant city.”
The last Exeter Carnival was held in November 1998. It was billed as Devon’s biggest annual carnival of the year with over 130 entries including lighted floats, walking masquerades, bands, majorettes plus special entries.
Arthur Dyke, an original member of the Exeter Carnival Committee, who produced the carnival for its full run from 1977 to 1998, along with being its chairman for 15 years, came forward and was supportive in giving of the 2022 event.
Now secretary of the South Devon Carnival Association, which runs a summer circuit of carnivals based around nine towns, Arthur was happy to help advise and guide InExeter in preparing for the creation of the new carnival, giving support to from his contacts in the East Devon carnival circuit. Well known and experienced in carnival circles, Arthur also produced a monthly carnival newsletter, the SWC Bulletin, which was very popular, covering all South West carnivals.
Marina O’Shea said: “The return of carnivals will be a big deal for many Exeter residents. InExeter wanted to be sure we were true to the original carnival so we could promote the city’s rich cultural history. Having Arthur, with all his expertise, experience and passion for carnival, and being able to support us in planning Exeter Carnival, is incredibly special and invaluable. A big and sincere thanks to Artur. We hope Exeter Carnival 2022 will do him proud!”
Arthur Dyke, Chairman of the last Exeter Carnival said: “It was a massive surprise when I first heard from InExeter and their plans to bring the carnival back to Exeter. It is fantastic that it is being revived after all these years and will be a key event for the people of Exeter.”
Exeter’s new carnival will parade down South Street, High Street, Sidwell Street to the Odeon roundabout and back down to finish at the junction on Paris Road. This will be the first large-scale Christmas event organized by InExeter since 2019 when there were Five Nights of Lights across the city with different areas of the city hosting a key over the five nights. InExeter also hosted a street party in 2018 for the annual Christmas lights switch on, which saw over 27,000 people visit to take part in the festivities.
The new Exeter Carnival is considered a celebration of Exeter. Expect flamboyant acts, floats, bands and floats at this carnival, which will also celebrate the city’s Christmas lights and festivities.
As part of the run of the event, InExeter will be hosting several special pop-up areas in the city where people can come and share their memories of the original Exeter Carnival and find out how to get involved in the new carnival. There will be some more exciting announcements to come.
InExeter welcomes all groups and societies to attend the carnival and get involved. There are 14 classes covering everything from floats to walking entries for both adults and juniors, with three additional special prizes including for the most colourful, fun and festive entries. More information will be available soon on the Exeter Carnival website: www.exetercarnival.com.
This event is made possible by InExeter’s town center and Magdalen Road member businesses, whose funding allows incredible events to take place in the town. The Business Improvement District for the city, InExeter, champions local support and is looking forward to welcoming people to this year’s InExeter Carnival.
