North Petherton Carnival returns on Saturday, November 9, 2024, and is one of the seven illuminated carnivals of the Somerset County Guy Fawkes Carnival Association circuit. Here’s all you need to know:

Event details

The Procession starts at 7pm. The route starts on the A38 Taunton Road, just after North Petherton Rugby Football Club. From there, the Procession follows Taunton Road through the town centre, and terminate just adjacent to Old Road on the north-eastern exit towards Bridgwater.

Road Closures

From 5.30pm, the A38 road will be closed to allow carts to get into position for the Procession.

Car and motorhome parking

Various sites are available to park at on the route, including North Petherton Ruby Club (A38 near to the start) and the Sedgemoor Auction / Market Centre off the A38 Bridgwater Road and Moto Services (Huntworth side, north side by finish).

Motorhome parking is available in the vehicle parks such as Market Car Park, there is limited motorhome parking available to the North Petherton Bowling Club, North Petherton Rugby Club and Moto Services.

Advice from North Petherton Carnival Committee is to be careful if you use any other areas for parking as many of the hotel or business car parks have ANPR controlled parking and are rigorously enforced by the operators if a non-authorised vehicle is parked in their car park.  

Please do not park on the route, motorway or slip roads or between the line up area and the start of the route.

Circuit Map

Map of North Petherton circuitMap of North Petherton circuit (Image: North Petherton Carnival Committee)

Food and drink

Along the length of the procession route numerous food stalls will be in place to help keep you fed with hot food and drinks, during the couple of hours that it may take for the procession to arrive and pass by you and the crowd around you..

Donations

North Petherton Carnival Committee are asking those attending to give generously, as without financial contributions, either by way of donations or sponsorship, the event would not be able to continue.

History

North Petherton Carnival was first reported as being held in the 1880’s. The first Carnival Committee was formed in 1886, but Carnival festivities had virtually ceased by the turn of the century.

In 1948 local resident Mr Bunny Wheatley formed the North Petherton Carnival Club which decided to concentrate on the revival of the Carnival and in December of that year “North Petherton Guy Fawkes Carnival” was formed. 

The first Carnival on 5th November 1949 was a stupendous success with the crowd of 10,000 and 72 entries in the procession. Prize money totalled £150, and the street collection was around £19.

In 1951 the ‘Somerset County Guy Fawkes Carnival Association’ was set up, with North Petherton being one of the founder members. The Association has been a guiding light over the years, encouraging co-operation between committees and presenting a series of trophies for excellence throughout the Somerset Guy Fawkes Carnival circuit.

Standing advice

If you are unable to stand out in the November weather for several hours, North Petherton Carnival advises to bring a foldable seat with you, wrap up well and enjoy the spectacular procession.