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What date is the Carnival?
The 2008 Carnival takes place on Saturday 19th July 2008.
What time is the Carnival?
This year the Carnival leaves Gloucester Park at 3.30pm. We expect the start of it to reach The Cross shortly after 4pm. We expect the procession to be finished by 5pm.
How do I enter?
Entering is easy! Simply decide on the title of your entry, check which category you're in, fill out the form and return to the address shown on the form. You can download a copy of the entry form here. Explanations of the categories and other information about the procession may be found on the main Carnival page.
What is the deadline for entry forms?
All entries need to be returned by Friday 11th July 2008.
Do I have to follow this year's 'Taste of Gloucester' theme?
Yes, All entries must take up the theme so please be as creative as possible. We would like as many groups as possible to make lots of giant creations and be wearing costumes, headdresses and face paints. Any entry that does not take on the theme will be disqualified.
The theme for the 2008 Carnival will be based around Food and Drink.
Can I collect money for charity?
Sorry, the Gloucester Lions have the only collecting rights for the Procession.
Do we need our own stewards?
All vehicles should be accompanied by a minimum of 4 out-walkers at each corner as safety spotters and an observer alongside the driver. Long vehicles should also have safety spotters alongside the vehicle. Children's groups should be proportionately staffed with adult helpers. In addition, a short health and safety information sheet will need to be filled out in advance.
What happens on the day?
A detailed Information Pack will be sent out at the beginning of July. All entries should arrive and be set up ready for judging at Gloucester Park by 2pm (the park will be open from 1pm). Judging takes place between 2pm and 3pm and the procession lines up from 3pm to be ready to leave the Park at 3.30pm.
Can I hand out leaflets or sweets?
Yes, but only material appropriate to the fun of the day, which must be given out by walkers and not from vehicles for safety reasons.
How long is the route?
The whole route is approximately 1.5 miles, and we advise participants to take drinks along the way (especially if the weather is hot). A map of the route is shown on the main Carnival page.
Is there anything else I should know?
All participants must start the Procession at Gloucester Park; it is not possible for anyone to join the Procession en-route. Live animals are not allowed in the Procession (except horse drawn carriages and guide dogs).
Can we use music or P.A.'s?
Yes, but please let us know on the Entry Form so that we can do our best to separate all musical entries. Please note - no sound systems or loudhailers can be used in the Park until your entry is moving in the procession.
Do we need insurance?
It is very important that all participants with vehicles should arrange their own insurance cover in case of any loss or injury during the event.
Do we need to have a lorry?
No, but the route can be long for very young children. We would like to encourage more walking entries and creative entries using costumes and choreography; a walking Carnival is more intimate and has lots more atmosphere.
Do you provide a lorry?
No, I'm afraid we don't. We suggest that entrants planning a vehicle entry contact local firms and haulage contractors about providing lorries.
Does it cost anything to take part?
The Procession is free to enter for all community groups, clubs, charities, etc. Commercial entries however must pay £25.
Are there any prizes awarded?
Yes, all entrants will receive a special commemorative medal. There are a series of trophies that are awarded each year to the best entry in each category. Information about the trophies and categories is available on the main Carnival page.
What happens if it rains heavily?
The Carnival is planned to go ahead if it is raining, unless we have a repeat of the extremely severe weather conditions of Friday 20th July 2007, which prevented the procession going ahead on Saturday 21st July 2007. We have a wet weather contingency plan which can be downloaded here. We will decide on the morning of the procession if we will implement this wet weather plan. Entrants should phone Nel Rann on 01452 396382 after 11am on the morning of the procession to find out if we have decided to implement it, or if conditions have forced its cancellation. Vehicles will not be permitted onto the Park if the wet weather plan is in operation. The Police will close Park Road to traffic at 1pm and vehicle entries will be directed into this road from the Brunswick Road/Montpellier junction. The procession will start at 3.30pm as planned, unless we've had a repeat of the freak weather of July 2007.
Return to the main Carnival page
This information was updated on Thursday 12th June 2008.
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