One more sleep until Barnstaple Carnival – time to party!

Barnstaple Carnival will be taking to the streets of the town tomorrow (Saturday, September 19) as the community prepares to enjoy a day and night of fun and revels.

Barnstaple Fair is now in full swing after opening on Wednesday and will continue until Saturday night, but now attention turns to carnival and the culmination of Fair Week.

It all begins at 2pm tomorrow with the Carnival Village spread out across both the Strand and the Square, with entertainment on the Mosaic Stage throughout the afternoon.

The Mosaic area will see a meet and greet plus performances from the Lilia’s Little Dreams princess, community acts and sets from vocalist Billy Buckingham plus Yazzi Chamberlain.

The Devon Army Cadet Corps of Drums will perform on The Square at 3pm as part of their second visit to Barnstaple and the band will also lead the parade, which is due to leave the Square at 6pm.

The Town Stage at the Square will also see children’s entertainer Dave Hendy in three afternoon performances.

This will follow the crowning of the Barnstaple Carnival royalty at 5.30pm and the results of this year’s carnival winners will be announced at 5.45pm.

The parade starts from Belle Meadow Road at 6pm and organisers are keen to encourage onlookers to take advantage of the space along the route rather than watch on the Square, as entries need to join from various locations to form the procession.

The parade, led by Carnival Royalty Abigail Williams, Molly-Rose Browning and Gracie Roper, will leave Belle Meadow Road, turn left into Queen Street, then right into Boutport Street and head down to its junction with Mermaid Walk, where it will bear left and move to its conclusion along North Walk to the old Barnstaple Town Station where it will disperse.

Following the parade there will be a five-minute long frenzy of fireworks at 8pm to signal the end of the day’s celebrations.

You can keep up to date on all carnival timings on the Barnstaple Carnival Facebook page.