Organisers of Portishead Carnival have announced the successful event will return to the town this year after a break last summer.

This year the spectacular procession of floats and walking groups will wind its way from the Lake Grounds all the way through the High Street on Saturday 18th June.

The fun will then continue on the town's show field all afternoon where there will be bands, a fairground, stalls and a beer tent.

Co-organisers Jemma Cooper and Wendy Watkins, who have been running the event for the last 15 years, say they expect a record number of floats and walking groups this year and are gearing up for thousands of people lining the streets and coming to the show field to enjoy the fantastic community day.

 

Jemma said: "We had a year off in 2015 as 2014 was a really big Carnival - our biggest and best yet. We were absolutely gobsmacked to see around 20,000 people turning out to watch the procession. It was really fantastic but very busy for us. So many people wanted to get involved. But now we are back and can't wait for this June. We've had loads of people asking us about it and we know people are really looking forward to entering the procession or coming along to the field to have a few drinks and watch the bands."

 

"Having a year off really re-charged our batteries as there's always a lot to organise. But as ever we couldn't do it without the support and help of some key volunteers and organisations in the town and we are very grateful to all of them. The carnival really is a community event  and thanks to everyone's hard work it's now the biggest in the town's calendar. And we know everyone really looks forward to it. Anyone can enter the procession and we know people are already planning their floats and walking entries.

 

This year the Carnival team say they are delighted to welcome The Somerset Paddies to the show field where they will entertain the huge crowds in the beer tent. Lots of audience participation is expected as the band, who all come from North Somerset and Bristol, love getting everyone involved. Typical Somerset Paddies songs include music from the late Adge Cutler, The Wurzels, Brendan Shine, The Pogues, Dubliners, and lots more.

 

Jemma said: "Getting the Somerset Paddies is a great coup for us. They always get booked up very quickly as they are so much fun. We can't wait for them to get the crowd going in the beer tent with their unique blend of Somerset and Irish songs - they are a real treat. The beer tent is always packed full of people enjoying the day and we know The Somerset Paddies will make it even more memorable."

 

Headline act Gee Baby I Love You are making a welcome return to the main stage on the carnival field after their storming appearance a few years ago. The band, which is made up of members from Portishead and Bristol, is celebrating its 25th anniversary this year and said they only wanted to play the best gigs to celebrate their birthday. They asked the carnival team if they could perform on 18th of June and Jemma and Wendy didn't hesitate in saying yes. The well established act will bring genuine soul, raw funk and blues to the carnival field and dancing is a must.

 

Jemma  added: "Gee Baby are exceptional crowd pleasers who never fail to deliver and we are absolutely thrilled they will be headlining the carnival. Wendy and I know their exhilarating showmanship will just lift the crowds higher and higher and they are bound to get everyone dancing. We are really excited to have them."

 

As well as the bands, there will be stalls, a fairground, food and lots of community attractions on the field.

 

To enter the procession call Wendy on 07816 050 181