Issue 504 – It’s party time! Coming your way…Carnival, Titan the Robot, Queen Tribute Band, Fireworks and more…

a fantastic day of entertainment is planned for Melksham Carnival and Party in the Park on Saturday 17th July with organisers saying it will be bigger and better than ever.

Carnival entries are at their highest for several years and two marching bands have been booked as a new Carnival Committee has given the event a new lease of life.
The Party in the Park has an exciting line-up with live music from leading Queen tribute band, The Bohemians’, main arena attraction Titan The Robot and entertainment from Magic Moments animal farm, a table top circus featuring Jonathan the Jester, Bath Samba Band and a Caribbean- style steel band.
There is also a wide range of children’s attractions including rides, a bouncy castle, quad bikes, the ever popular climbing wall, a Punch and Judy show and magic from Ozzy D. Delicia. The day will culminate in a stunning fireworks display.
“We’ve had a fantastic response to the Carnival this year and the town has really got behind us,” said Kathryn Allwood. “We’re hoping it will be the best procession for several years and we’ve booked two marching bands and three majorette troops which should make a real difference.
“There’s still time to get involved, even if it’s only as walkers in fancy dress. We’re hoping as many groups and individuals as possible will get involved and, of course, that the whole town turns out to support us.”
The day starts at the King George V Playing Field when the gates open at 1.00pm. Entertainment gets underway soon after 1.00pm. Live music will feature across the day on two stages, with the main stage providing special sessions featuring a ‘Music for the Mods’ at lunch time; a Live and Unsigned session later in the afternoon, and the evening party session culminating with the fantastic Queen band ‘The Bohemians’.
The main attraction in the arena/activities area, will be Titan The Robot. The Titan is not to be missed, in fact it will be almost impossible to do so. He is big, he is loud, he is cheeky - and he sings!
There will also be a wide range of activities to keep the children entertained including Magic Moments animal farm and a table top circus featuring Jonathan the Jester. The Bath Samba Band will also feature, as well as a Caribbean-style steel band alongside Waitrose’s promotional team with their tasty samples.
The children will certainly be well catered for with rides, bouncy castle and quad bikes. The ever popular climbing wall will return this year and there will be boat rides on the river. There will also be on display the many organisational stalls and sideshows. The marquee will have an afternoon programme for children with a Punch and Judy show, a street dance workshop with Jax Dance and magic from Ozzy D. Delicia. Thee will also be a belly dance workshop for children.
Party in the Park organisers have expanded the entertainment this year for children, recognising that this is very much an event for all the family, starting off with the very youngest.
Admission to Party in the Park will be £3 per person for 16 year-olds and above, with ‘under 16s’ being admitted free of charge. Wrist bands will be issued which will allow re-admittance.
There will be plenty of food outlets to satisfy the hungriest of appetites all day long, and ice cream to help keep cool on what is hoped to be a nice sunny day. The bar will again this year be run by Moles Brewery and they will have very competitive prices. All drinks must be in plastic or similar containers but NOT in glass. Glass bottles must not be taken onto the site.
The PITP chairman, Nick Galpin said, “We are striving to have an enjoyable event for all the family. We are charging admission again this year, but being realistic it is necessary to do so to help cover the increasing cost of running an event of this size. There will be bags of entertainment on offer for all and great value is provided for the £3 entry fee.
Bloor Homes and Waitrose have both kindly provided sponsorship this year respectively for the Carnival and the Party in the Park. Leekes have sponsored this year’s Carnival raffle which follows their generous sponsorship for last year’s Party in the Park.
Following the Party in the Park activities in the afternoon, the Carnival procession commences at 6.00pm from Cooper Tires car park, following the customary route through the town centre, along Spa Road, turning right into Warwick Avenue, continuing along Kenilworth Gardens, right into Waverley Gardens, then right onto Semington Road leading back towards the town centre and finishing at the King Street car park.
As ever, COINS SHOULD NOT BE THROWN AT FLOATS as this action could seriously injure someone. Please put coins (as many as you like!) in buckets carried round by collectors.
Party in the Park kicks-off the evening session from 6.30pm. Admission will be £3 per person for 16 years and over but those who already hold wristbands gain entry without further payment. Live music will continue on the main stage with big local favourites ‘Sixteen Stone Pig’. Next up will be London’s top party band ‘The SKP Band’. The finale on the main stage will be the fantastic Queen tribute ‘The Bohemians’.
There will be a break for the fireworks display shortly after 10.00pm, then the Queen show will continue. There will also be a super double header on the marquee alternative stage this year, with big local favourites Far-cue and Frenzy.
“Again, no glass will be permitted on the site,” added Nick Galpin. “We have worked very closely with the licensing, health and safety and police authorities to ensure a safe and enjoyable occasion for all.” Police and security staff will be keeping a close watch for potential under-age drinking.
Both the Carnival and the Party in the Park committees are grateful for the support of sponsors, local authorities and councils and to all other supporters and contributors adding, “Most of all, the people of Melksham and the surrounding area are thanked for their fantastic support. Without that and the valuable support from sponsors and local businesses, Carnival and Party in the Park could not go ahead. So enjoy the Carnival procession and this, the 11th anniversary of our Party in the Park, and let’s keep our fingers crossed for good weather.”
• Regrettably the dog show will not be taking place this year.