Okehampton Carnival

After Storm Brian hit last year’s event, Okehampton Carnival Committee is hoping for better conditions on Saturday, October 20th, when entries from near and far make their way to Okehampton for the town’s big day.

Carnival chairman Steve Bolt said: ‘As always, the carnival is one of the highlights on the town’s calendar, with colourful floats, lively processions, dance troupes, bands and music. 

‘Our team of volunteers work hard to put on a great day and each year we are humbled by the amount of people that line the streets of Okehampton to watch the parades.’         

Carnival day starts with a coffee morning in the Charter Hall from 9am until noon. Judging for day collectors and the children’s classes begins at 2pm in the Charter Hall.

This will be followed by the crowning of the prince and princess by the town mayor

at 3pm in School Way.

At 3.15pm the procession, led by Okehampton Excelsior Band,  leaves School Way, with many costumed children and dancers taking to the streets.

The procession goes up Market Street, turns left into Fore Street, up East Street to the junction at Mill Road and then back through the town before dispersing in Market Street. Road closures will be in place from 3pm until the procession ends. These include Mill Road (from the waterwheel to its junction with Station Road), St James Street, Park Row and Kempley Road will be closed from 4:30pm for the assembling of tableaux.   Judging for the evening classes starts at 6pm.

The carnival king and queen will be crowned by the mayor at 7pm and the procession will move off at 7.15pm, led by the Devon and Somerset Fire & Rescue Service.

Roads affected for the evening procession (from 6.30pm) will be Mill Road, George Street, Market Street, Fore Street, North Street, East Street, Northfield Road, Neville Road, Victoria Street, Wonnacotts Road, Lopes Crescent, Barton Road, Link Road, Crediton Road, Leaholes Avenue, Limehayes Road and Exeter Road.

Entry Forms for the afternoon and evening classes are available from  Donalds Menswear, 5 Fore Street, Okehampton EX20 1AN or Karen Penna, 19 Wonnacotts Road, Okehampton EX20 1LX.

Volunteers for carnival day are always very welcome! Anyone who has an hour or more to spare and who would like to help by collecting to raise money for next year’s carnival should contact Sally Wilson, vice chair, on  07821 049538.