The video will start in 8 Cancel

GET THE BIGGEST STORIES FROM ACROSS SOMERSET STRAIGHT TO YOUR INBOX SIGN UP Thank you for subscribing See our privacy notice Invalid Email

Bridgwater Carnival has come and gone with yet another spectacular event.

The day was packed full of entertainment with singing choirs, dancers bursting some moves, tribute acts performing some timeless classics.

Dozens of illuminated carts - each up to 30 metres long - packed with lights and dancers later lined the streets on Saturday (November 3).

Despite the one hour delay due to a broken down cart, many revellers stayed later than planned for the squibbing.

(Image: Reach/Western Daily Press)

Tens of thousands of spectators were left dazzled by the carnival clubs' singing and dancing, the wide of variety of carts on display and the iconic squibbing display.

If you are out of the loop or somehow missed the big day, don't worry. We have rounded up highlights of the day.

There was a marriage proposal!

The first highlight of the day occurred before a cart had even set off.

At around 6pm, Ray was on the High Street with his partner, Sonia, eagerly awaiting the procession to roll into town.

Then suddenly, a message appeared on a large screen, stating: "Sonia Williams; we have been together now for over 17 years and we have had good times and some pretty hard times.

But we still remain strong together and I love you so much.

"So I would like to ask you one question tonight... 'Sonia will you marry me?' Lots of love, Ray".

Ray went down one knee to pop the question and Sonia said yes!

Let's hope the engaged pair enjoyed the procession and squibbing.

Tributes to popular carnival figure 'Big D'

(Image: www.bridgwater-photos.co.uk)

Carnival clubs in the main procession paid tribute to a member of the carnival family who passed away this year.

Andrew White suddenly died shortly after his 46th birthday and was also a popular binman for Somerset Waste Partnership.

Big D was a member of the Marketeers Carnival Club who's crew have incorporated a reference to him on their cart.

The Dickensian themed cart, called "Consider Yourself", depicted a typical street in Victorian London, featuring workhouses, homes, shops and a rotating St Paul's Cathedral.

Among the props, there will be a sign entitled "Big D's cutting services" - in reference to how he used to cut metal inside their workshop.

The club would later win 'Best Feature Cart', a title that was dedicated to Andrew White.

(Image: Facebook/Hillview JCC)

HillviewJCC, who entered a cart called "The Spook Returns" spray painted a decal onto their vehicle paying tribute to Big D.

The message reads: "In loving memory of Big D". The tribute appeared on the side of their colourful vehicle.

A cart broke down

(Image: Somerset Live)

Just as the procession entered full swing, Renegades Carnival Club's cart broke down near the railway bridge at the start of the procession.

Its crew were helped down from the vehicle as engineers and a recovery vehicle attempted to kick start the cart.

The cart, called "Ganesh's Journey Home", was moved from the route so other vehicles and performers could continue the procession.

But despite their setback, their members walked the remainder of the route with crowds applauding them as they walked on the High Street.

The delay caused the carnival to finish at least an hour later than planned.

Other carts suffered some technical problems

It was sadly a recurring theme of this year's Bridgwater Carnival.

One of the favourites, Gremlins CC, suffered from generator problems and were unable to power thousands of the cart's lights or its moving parts.

Another cart, P.T Barnum, struggled to keep their cart moving and lit at the same time. The crowd cheered the cart on as it travelled down the High Street.

160 carnival members took part in the squibbing finale

To many, it's the highlight of Bridgwater Carnvial.

Squibbing is the simultaneous firing of lots of large fireworks from light stout poles in the shape of brooms.

160 squibbers lined the High Street soon after the end of the main procession.

Here the squibbers lit their squibs at the same time, raised them above their heads, creating a shower of sparks to rain down.

The spectacular display lasted two minutes and was well worth the wait.

Bridgwater Carnival is the only carnival on the Somerset Carnival Circuit to perform squibbing, making it an unique and special experience.

Marketeers Carnival Club won Best Feature Cart at Bridgwater Carnival

(Image: Reach/Western Daily Press)

Marketeers Carnival Club won the prestigious Ker Cup with their impressive Dickensian "Consider Yourself" cart.

Their remarkable cart depicted a typical street in Victorian London, with dancers and singing alongside workhouses, homes, shops and a rotating St Paul's Cathedral.

The club also won 'Best Dressed Towing Vehicle Driver', alongside Otters CC.

You view the full results, below.

Feature and Tableaux Cart Local

1. Consider Yourself (Dickensian) - Marketeers CC

2. Barnum's Parade - Ramblers CC

3. Gettysburg - Wills CC

4. Fiesta De Los Toros - Vagabonds CC

5. Outlaw's Creek - Lime Kiln CC

6. Voodoo Hack - British Flag CC

7. Storm - Griffens CC

8. Amazonia - Cavaliers CC

9. Frozen Kingdom - Centurions CC

10. Surf's Up - Crusaders CC

11. Sing, Sing, Sing - YMCA CC

12. Highway to Hell- Gremlins CC

13. Ganesh's Journey Home - Renegades CC

(Image: Reach/Western Daily Press)

Feature Cart Open

1. The Greatest Show - Harlequin CC

2. Sergeant De Waterloo/Master of the House - Masqueraders CC

3. Sheng Xiao (Chinese New Year) - Wick CC

4. Wonderland - Westonzoyland CC

5. Captain Morgan's Revenge - Globe CC

6. The Windmill Club (Moulin Rouge) - Mendip Vale CC

7. Glacies Bellator - Cobra CC

8. Wonderland - Aliens CC

(Image: Reach/Western Daily Press)

9. Back To The 80s - Shambles CC

10. Mhusika - Eclipse CC

11. Last Ride -Otters CC

12. Engine Room- Gorgons CC

13. Bollywood - Sid Vale CC

14. Off To See The Wizard - Budleigh Salterton CC

15. Dead Inside - Highwayman CC

16. Nameste India - Toppers CC

Tableaux Cart Open

1. Gettysburg - Wills CC

2. One for the Road - Huckyduck CC

3. PT Barnum - Gemini CC

4. No Man's Land - King William CC

5. Day of the Dead - Pentathlon CC

6. Chronicles on Indiana - Oasis CC

7. Frozen Kingdom - Centurion CC

Comic Feature Cart

1. Where's Wee Willy - Newmarket CC

2. Battle of Portaloo - Nunsford Nutters

3. Afro Circus - One + One CC

4. I Want To Be A Superhero - Just George's CC

5. Laughing Gnomes - Mardons CC

(Image: Western Daily Press)

6. E.T on Tour - Luckington CC

7. Travelling Circus - Storm CC

Juvenile Cart

1. Graffiti #Villains - Marina Sydenham JCC

2. The Spook Returns - Hillview JCC

3. Be Our Guest - South Brent CC

Groups of Masqueraders Adult

1. Twisted Circus - Xtreme CC

2. The Wilfs Present Ballet 'Awful' at 30 - Wilfs CC

3. Gypsy Flair - Bridgwater Belles

(Image: Reach/Western Daily Press)

Groups of Masqueraders Juvenile

1. Wild in Africa - Chameleons

2. Umbrella - Rhythym Fever CC

3. Sharks Up - Crusaders Cubs

Groups of Masqueraders (3-7)

1. Bedouin - Smandy's CC

2. Hen Party - A.B.C

3. Shinto - Just Peachy CC

(Image: Reach/Western Daily Press)

Pairs

1. Skulduggery - A&A CC

2. Drum Major and Minor - The Shepherd Family CC

3. This Is Us - Dee Gees CC

Single Masquerader Adult

1 Intergalatic Circus of Wonder - The Academy of Carnival

2. Winter Wizardry - The Academy of Carnival

3. Once Upon A Storytime - Dave Arney

(Image: Reach/Western Daily Press)

Single Masquerader Juvenile

1. The Queen - Samvantra Juniors

2. The Greatest 'Crowman' - Ethan Pickersgill

3. The Mad Scientist - Izzy Wheeler

Best Decorated Towing Vehicle

The Greatest Show - Harlequin CC

Best Dressed Towing Vehicle Driver - Joint Winners:

Otters CC and Marketeers CC

Entries with disabilities

PC M1ke by The Academy of Carnival

Got a Bridgwater story to share? Email me at michael.taylor@reachplc.com or call 01935 709742.

Want more news?

To subscribe to our daily newsletter, enter your email address into the box at the top of this story.

To keep up to date with our latest news, follow us on Facebook and Twitter

Find our Bath Facebook page here or Somerset's can be found here

Alternatively, follow us on Twitter - @BathLive and @SomersetLive