Pictures: Bideford Carnival avoids singing in the rain for a night at the movies

Revellers gathered in their droves to enjoy a successful Bideford Carnival on Saturday (September 13) and the rain even managed to stop for a time too!

With a theme of ‘night at the movies’ there was plenty of movie-magic inspired entries such as The Greatest Showman and The Addams Family, plus entries from various local majorette troops, dance schools and bands.

Among those were the visiting pipe and drums bands from around the country who attend the carnival each year in association with the Bideford Massed Pipes & Drums Festival.

This year’s Carnival Queen Inaaya Stephens was crowned by Bideford Mayor Peter Lawrence on the Reds Rowing Club balcony, joined by mayoress Lynda Lawrence, before the parade set off.

Above: Bideford Carnival Queen Inaaya Stephens with Mayor Peter Lawrence. Credit: Graham Hobbs

Councillor Lawrence also presented the most entertaining float cup to Welcome to Death Valley from Jesters CC.

Alongside Inaaya, the carnival royalty included Fairy Queen Layla Farr- Hurrell, Carnival Prince Reggie Russell and the carnival attendants Ivy Wright and Brooke Gallager. There was even two members of visiting Cornish carnival royalty too!

Above: June Upton has been taking part in Bideford Carnival for 50 years. Credit: Graham Hobbs

The date for next year’s Bideford Carnival is Saturday, September 12.

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**** See more pictures in our gallery above – all pictures courtesy of Graham Hobbs ****