Thousands visit Ilminster to see the carnival's bright lights

An observer said: “This is even bigger than last year’s carnival.”

Various carnival groups and individuals stepped into the spotlight on Saturday, October 5, donning their most colourful costumes and makeup and putting their best foot forwards to showcase the result of all their hard work behind the scenes.

This year’s lineup included 46 entries, including dazzling feature floats from well-known local carnival clubs such as Harlequin's "Pinball", Gemini's "Rock n Roll Train", Rubalo's "Birds of Paradise", 1 + 1's "Who's Hungry" and Nunsford Nutters' "Nee Naw".

People by the dozens came to visit Ilminster to witness the Carnival's bright lights and some of the best feature floats in the history of the event.

Many turned up hours early to claim the best spots across the route of the procession from its start in Bay Hill to its end at the roundabout near The Stone Mason’s Pub.

Special awards presented by the Ilminster Carnival Committee included Best Dressed Driver which went to Rubalo JCC, Best Routine in Procession which went to Harlequin, Best Costume on Foot which went to Jacks and Best Build Up which went to Gemini.

Harlequins managed to win seven awards in total after blowing everyone away with a brilliant display.

This includes Best Local Float, Best Individual in Feature, Most Colourful, Best Makeup in Procession and 1st place for the Feature category.

Rubalo JCC also performed well, winning five awards after their heart warming performance.

This includes Best Costume on Float, Spirit of Carnival, Best Music in Procession and 1st place in the Youth category after wowing the crowd.

If you missed Ilminster Carnival but still wish to take part in all the festivities, then do not panic as the carnivals will be continuing across Somerset throughout October and November.

You can always catch Chard Carnival next Saturday (October 12) or Taunton Carnival the Saturday after (October 19).

A huge well done to everyone who took part in this year’s Ilminster Carnival, without you and all your efforts there would be no Carnival for us all to enjoy.

Feature

1st – Harlequin CC - Pinball

2nd – Gemini CC – Rock and Roll Train

Comic

1st – Nunsford Nutters – NEE NAW

2nd – One Plus One CC – Who’s Hungry

Youth

1st – Rubalo JCC – Birds of Paradise

2nd – Pickle CC – Pickle Gone Fishing

Open

1st – ZEM CC – Master of the House

2nd – Chard Carnival Royalty

Adult Single

1st – Jacks CC – Ragtime

2nd – Spirit CC -Treasures of the Deep

3rd – Tizzy’s CC – Carnival of Colours

Juvenile Single

1st – Flynn Newbery – Clowntastic

Pairs

1st – A&A CC – The Time Machine

2nd – Ruth & Rio Welsh – Animatronics

Group

1st – Xtreme CC – Year of the Dragon

2nd – Ilminster Icon’s Dance Team – Stars and Stripes Showstoppers

Trade

1st – The Grand Pier

2nd – The Drum Bus

3rd – Grinters

Majorettes

1st – Merriott Majorettes

2nd – South Petherton Majorettes

3rd – Ilchester Gems Majorettes

Best Dressed Driver

Rubalo JCC – Birds of Paradise

Best Costume on Foot

Jacks CC – Ragtime

Best Costume on Float

Rubalo JCC – Birds of Paradise

Best Make- up in Procession

Harlequin CC - Pinball

Best Music in Procession

Rubalo CC – Birds of Paradise

Best Routine in Procession

Harlequin CC – Pinball

Most Outstanding Individual Performance on a Feature Entry

Harlequin CC Scott Hooper - Pinball

Most Colourful Entry

Harlequin CC – Pinball

Best Build-Up

Gemini CC – Rock & Roll Train

Mayor’s Choice

A&A CC – The Time Machine

Best Music on Local Float

Harlequin CC – Pinball

Spirit of Carnival

Rubalo CC – Birds of Paradise

Best Local Walking

1st – Jacks CC - Ragtime

2nd – Xtreme CC – Year of the Dragon

3rd – Ilminster Icons Dance Team – Stars and Stripes Showstoppers

Best Local Float

1st – Harlequin CC – Pinball

2nd – Gemini CC – Rock and Roll Train

3rd – One Plus One CC – Who’s Hungry

Decorated Window Competition

1st – Basil James Financial Services

2nd – Ilminster Emporium

3rd – The Kitchen on Silver Street