Summary

  • People are gathering ahead of the Bridgwater's Guy Fawkes Carnival

  • More than 1,000 volunteers and performers are taking part

  • The procession is expected to begin at 18:00 GMT

  • Stay with us as we bring you the sounds, sights and stories from this year's event

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Live Reporting

Edited by Sammy Jenkins and Bea Swallow with Dawn Limbu, Dan Ayers, Ross Pollard and Alex Kyte reporting from Bridgwater

  1. A sneak preview before nightfall

    Bea Swallow
    Live page reporter

    The carnival carts are lined up along the pavement on Parkway, with diligent club members placing the final touches on their creations ahead of the procession starting at 18:00 GMT.

    The surrounding streets are already buzzing, with hundreds of spectators gathering to soak up the atmosphere and catch a glimpse of what's to come.

    Here's a sneak preview at some of the carts before night falls, and the dazzling displays come to life.

    A jungle Tikki themed cart, with grass accents, elephants, bright flowers and wooden structures.
    A close up of a cart showing a golden statue of a woman, fake marble columns, and wooden chandeliers.
    A close up of a cart with an autumnal design, pumpkins, wooden wheels and barrels.
    A cart with a medieval building design

  2. When does it begin?

    The illuminated carnival expects a turnout of around 150,000 people this year.

    The scheduled live events and music have already started across the town but the main event, the procession, will begin on Bath Road at 18:00 GMT.

    The procession takes approximately two hours to pass any one point on the 1.7 mile route and includes a mixture of carts, marching bands and walking entries.

    It all ends on Mount Street.

    The squibbing is expected to take place approximately 30 minutes after the end of the parade.

  3. Its roots

    Guy Fawkes and the Gunpowder Plotters, 1605. Roman Catholic conspiracy to blow up English Houses of Parliament on 5 November 1605 when James I was due to open a new session. Guy Fawkes, best known of the conspirators, is third from right. From a print published Frankfurt 1605.(Ann Ronan Pictures/Print Collector/Getty Images)

    Bridgwater Carnival's roots go back more than 400 years, after the failed Gunpowder Plot by Guy Fawkes and his fellow conspirators in 1605.

    Afterwards King James I ordered 5 November to be commemorated annually with bonfires, a tradition that continues today.

    It is believed by some historians that Bridgwater's strongly Protestant community embraced the celebrations more enthusiastically than most towns, helping to establish a unique local tradition.

    Over the centuries, the celebrations evolved into the spectacular carnival procession seen today.

  4. Welcome

    The Halloween decorations have been packed away, which means all eyes are now on Somerset's biggest spectacle.

    The annual Bridgwater Guy Fawkes Carnival is back, with illuminated carts ready to take to the streets to entertain thousands of spectators after months of planning and hard work.

    Follow our live coverage for all the sounds, sights and stories from this year's event.