These carnivals are regarded as "the largest spectacular illuminated processions in the world" [Shepton Carnival] and date back more than 400 years. The Guy Fawkes Circuit starts at Bridgwater then on to Burnham on Sea,Weston-Super-Mare, North Petherton, Shepton Mallet, Wells, and finishing at Glastonbury.
I used to go to the carnival at Midsomer Norton in the 1970s, but that was only a small carnival compared to the main ones and is not on the main circuit. This year, 2016, I went to the one at Shepton Mallet on 16 Nov.
Over the years the floats, known as carts, have got bigger and brighter. Some are up to 100 feet long with 30,000 light bulbs. They are pulled by tractors. The tractor driver dressed as a lion -
In between the floats are groups of people or even single masqueraders dancing and performing. The bright lights mean it is hard to see the detail on the floats, but some are incredibly detailed. So much thought has gone into them. Unfortunately it was raining on the night so the photos are not good.
This float was particularly relevant to 2016, for the 350th anniversary of the Great Fire of London.
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