Carnival Announces its Summer Line-up! The challenge to find new attractions and interests for each Carnival hasn t been found wanting for the Carnival on Sat.4th July. A date like that demands an American theme, and so there has been a big push to attract American Cars to the Parade and Static display. U.S.A. themed ladies at the first, 2009 Carnival This Cadillac travels from Neath each year! There are lots of ways that Parade entries or stallholders can adorn their presence, with flags, balloons, bunting etc. as well as by simply dressing in the spirit. 13 ton Kenworth Truck One of the star attractions in the Parade is sure to be this enormous 13 ton Kenworth Truck, seen here without its huge trailer. Fans of TV Programmes such as the Ice Road Truckers will be familiar with this kind of beast, shown here in a size that gives an idea of the contrast with the smaller Cadillac. Its owner has done a recce site visit to ensure it will be able to negotiate the corners.
But the Parade isn t just for things American, and the hope is that just about every local School, Nursery, Club and Society, and many businesses will make an entry colourful and lively, interacting with the crowds as they pass them by. We would really welcome some Floats in the Parade, and our website has ideas that could act as suggestions from really quite simple and small, to something a bit more traditional. Keeping to a tradition of supporting local charities, the chosen beneficiary / nominated charity of this year s Parade side collection will be the Thornbury Stroke Support group. Bands to Entertain us! Undoubted stars of Carnival 2014 were in the Bournemouth based Gugge 2000 Brass and Percussion Band. Distinctive in their Yellow and black costumery, this grouos set a new trend for the Parade by moving in the opposite direction! Starting at the top of High St., they moved down the slope to the Plain, entertaining the crowds before the main Parade came through, tagging onto the tail end and making their way back to the top again. This exciting and vibrant group will be returning once more in 2015 when they are sure to establish themselves as firm favourites with their stage performance as well. And in a similarly crazy way, this pink outfit, the Ambling Band, from Bristol, are sure to make their mark with their zany music and madness performances. These will travel the full length of the Parade and it is hoped they will complement the Pink Car Rally that has entered the event for the first time.
Thornbury s Town Band will bring some sobriety to proceedings, contributing welcomed classical band pieces to a Summer Carnival Day, and Dan Budd s Ukulele Jam will once again show how amusing and accessible such genres can be, with a Parade entry and a stage set, too. Nailsworth Silver Band will join us for the Parade to add more familiar tunes to the forward movement of the column. The City and County of Bristol ACF Cadets will join us again, smart and distinctive in their blues uniforms. Heading up the morning s spectacle will be familiar friends, the City of Bristol Pipes and Drums whose afternoon performances are an off-stage march, wending its way through the stalls from top to bottom, and returning later. Under the leadership of an ex Marine Bandsman, the popular Dolphin Marching Band will travel from Poole once again to contribute the smartness and style of a semi-military youth band to proceedings. This is a widely travelled and successful Band. These three delights, The Femmes, one an ex Marlwood girl, will be travelling to us from London to offer their blend of Andrews Sisters melodies to the occasion, in both the Parade and on the stage. Local group Street Envy will be with us again, and also the new, Jungalicious group from Dursley. Ever popular local star entertainers from the Inspire Trust will be presenting excepts from their acclaimed Broadway hits show, once again in the Parade and in a stage set. Perhaps one of the most amazing acts at the 2014 was the one least expected to retain its audience on Stage 1 the ZHL String Ensemble. Four classical string players do not readily slot into the public thinking for such an event but what an impact they had, with their magical blend of performance skills that enabled them to engage with the audience so well. A perfect complement to the other razzamatazz that the watching crowds enjoyed so much. And, what s more, they will be performing in the High Street as a part of the pre-parade entertainment. What s the Spectacle this year?
Onwards and upwards is the challenge not always an easy one to fulfil, but I hope this year s package will fit the bill, keeping folk happy and impressed. The upwards bit of the challenge relates to two things; inclusion for the first time of Giant Inflatables by Angus Pedric that will provide excitement and visual imagery, and also Adding two more unique touches in July will be the UK garrison of the Star Wars Troopers, appearing in the Parade and on the field a selection in full regalia will be available for photoshoots Over the last fourteen years Troopers have attended several thousand events, helping to raise money for a considerable number of charities, bringing joy to many and smiles to countless faces. The UKG is a not-for-profit organization.
The FORCE will be with you! Come and join them.. Or.. The swish of the light sabres from the Troopers will be outdone though by the speed, heaving and grunting of the Field Gun Crews representing RAF Cosford, RN Devonport and MoD Abbeywood a rare chance to see these fit men competing for prizes given by local breweries, and collecting for charitable purposes. What a treat this will be for Carnival visitors, to cheer on what is in effect, their local team from MoD Abbeywood! MoD Abbeywood Field Gun Team Another first for Thornbury, and what an attraction these will turn out to be, is an appearance by the. Band of the Royal Marines. These are extremely difficult to book, as there is huge competition for their services, itself requiring the support of Royal Navy Regional Commander whose judgement concerning the usefulness of the deployment is critical clearly an outstanding case has to be made for success, and fortunately, the Carnival has a good track record in relation to welcoming military participation.