History

North Petherton Carnival celebrates is one of seven illuminated carnivals of the Somerset County Guy Fawkes Carnival Association circuit annually held in the month of November, in the County of Somerset.

North Petherton Carnival was first reported as being held in the 1880’s. The first Carnival Committee was formed in 1886, but Carnival festivities had virtually ceased by the turn of the century.

In 1948 local resident Mr Bunny Wheatley formed the North Petherton Carnival Club which decided to concentrate on the revival of the Carnival and in December of that year “North Petherton Guy Fawkes Carnival” was formed. The first Carnival on 5th November 1949 was a stupendous success with the crowd of 10,000 and 72 entries in the procession. Prize money totalled £150 and the street collection was around £19.

In 1951 the “Somerset County Guy Fawkes Carnival Association was set up with North Petherton being one of the founder members. the association has been a guiding light over the years, encouraging co-operation between committees and presenting a series of trophies for excellence throughout the Somerset Guy Fawkes Carnival circuit.

The Carnival has grown over the years and attracts entries from all over Somerset, Dorset, Devon and Wiltshire. Spectators come from as far afield as Wales, Cornwall, the Home Counties, the Midlands, Manchester and Yorkshire.