We need you to make it a bumper carnival (From Bridport Carnival)

We need you to make it a bumper carnival

1:55pm Wednesday 11th January 2012 in News By James Tourgout

THE dates are set for Bridport Carnival 2012 as organisers gear up for the annual extravaganza in August.

The carnival committee has held its first meeting of the year to plot the path ahead for this year’s festival of fun.

Carnival day is Saturday, August 18 followed by the torchlight procession on Sunday 19.

The carnival weekend will be the finale of a month of events – including bingo, a quiz night, darts, car boot sale and fun fair.

Organisers have also appealed for businesses to throw their weight behind this year’s event with donations and sponsorship Carnival chairman Shaun Fox said: “It is shaping up to be another great carnival.

“We have already started making the preparations and are on track.”

He added: “Any help businesses can give with donations and sponsorship for raffle prizes and money would be very much appreciated.”

Members of the carnival committee will be calling into businesses to ask for support but anyone wanting to help can also email Mr Fox.

The donations and items will be used for raffle prizes but also to help meet the cost of the event, such as for the fireworks at West Bay after the torchlight procession.

Those helping will be thanked and listed in the official carnival programme and on the carnival website.

The carnival princess selection day will be Sunday, June 24 this year but the contest will revert to the traditional format instead of the talent contest of recent years.

Entrants will be expected to answer questions about why they would be suitable as carnival princess before a panel of judges pick the winner and attendants.

Last year’s princess Jade Coombs has enhanced the role and developed it into an ambassadorial position with appearances at events and collections for charity.

This year’s carnival comes after the 40th anniversary event last year which was hailed as one of the best of recent years.

Thousands of people lined West and South streets to watch the procession on the Saturday before a bumper turn out for the torchlight procession on the Sunday.

Businesses, individuals and community groups are being urged to think about their floats and entries for this year’s procession now.

The carnival comes at the same time as a Spirit of Bridport festival Email shaun.fox@fwi.co.uk to help with sponsorship.