THE temperature is mounting as Bridport is struck by carnival fever.

With a weekend of spectacular events ahead, the town will take to the streets for another showstopper Bridport Carnival.

Tonight, August 15, the Carnival Darts competition takes place at the Conservative Club in North Street with an 8pm start.

Then tomorrow, from 6pm the funfair will bring the carnival into town at the bus station off Tannery Road and the fun continues there over the weekend.

Saturday sees the grand procession when Carnival Princess Chloe-Amber Cash and her attendants will proudly lead the way.

The parade leaves St Swithun’s Road at 7pm and this year the host of colourful floats and walkers will be judged on the route up West Street and down South Street to Morrison’s.

Bands and majorettes will be taking part too and afterwards there will be a family carnival disco at the Conservative Club from 8pm.

They will be dancing in the streets until late into the night to live music in South Street.

There will be parking restrictions and temporary road closures along the route and all floats and entries must be at the start point by 6pm.

The Bridport News-backed carnival will reach an explosive finale with the not-to be-missed torchlight parade and fireworks on Sunday night, August 18. Hundreds of torches will be carried aloft in a river of fire down South Street and West Bay Road towards the sea.

The carnival princesses will again lead the way to West Bay where there will be music, food, refreshments, another huge bonfire and fireworks display at 10.30pm, weather permitting.

Torches will be on sale from 6pm onwards in Bucky Doo Square before the parade leaves at 9pm. No torches will be sold after 8.45pm or to under-18s.

Organisers may ask to check ID as proof of age.

Carnival chairman Shaun Fox urged visitors and locals alike to support the carnival, which donates proceeds to a variety of local groups and organisations.

“The carnival is organised solely by volunteers without whom it would not be possible.

“It relies on the sponsorship, support and goodwill of the community to keep it going.

“Please give generously when you see a collecting bucket.”

ORGANISERS of the Event 4 music festival at Bradpole – part of the Bridport Carnival for the first time – paid tribute to the musicians, volunteers and sponsors who made it possible to stage the two-day event last weekend.
Organiser Fel Moore said: “We had a really good weekend, lots of good weather and a lovely friendly atmosphere. 
“A big thanks to the 70-plus musicians who played for free and the countless volunteers who make it happen, on the day, before and after. Another big thanks to all our sponsors.
“We had a few problems with electricity and a couple of bands were unable to play, so my apologies to them, but we hope to do something else to provide an opportunity for them to play.
“We have raised funds for Don Bosco Ashalayam and Bridport Carnival.”