A message from our Chairman, Rich

2023, well that smashed 2022 out the water! I have never seen the town so busy with spectators for both processions and the band parade. I just want to say thank you to each and everyone of you for turning out to support the town.

2024 will see the return of the bar at the town hall and this year we will also have a bar by the post office too.

I would like to welcome any new residents to the town and hope we see you on carnival day, the day brings the town together in one place for a celebration of fun, light and music.

Please dig deep and donate in the buckets with cash or simply scan our QR codes on the buckets or the collection trucks.

I would like to extend my thanks to my fantastic committee for all the voluntary hours of dedication to ensure the show goes on.

See you on the streets on the 28th September for our 147th Carnival.

On Carnival Day!

Saturday 28th September 2024

9am

From 9am onwards you can pick up your collection buckets. These are vital for our fundraising and beneficiaries. A cup is awarded to the highest collected or best dressed collector each year. Collectors must be 16 years or over.

10am

Shaftesbury highstreet comes alive with markets, food stalls, games and entertainment.

2pm

Judging for the Childrens procession takes place at 2pm in the Abbey View Medical Centre car park. The procession also begins here. (See map below)

3pm

The grand Childrens Fancy dress afternoon procession starts at 3pm. Headed by the Carnival Royalty the procession is accompanied by the Shaftesbury Town Silver Band.

6pm

Marching, displays and commentary with Shaftesbury Town Silver Band, Dolphin Marching Band, Dorset Youth Marching Band and Vectis Corp of drums

7:15pm

The Illuminated evening procession. Starting at the fire station and ending on Salisbury Street. The procession lasts around an hour.

8pm

Head to the Barton Hill Recreation Ground for Coles fun fair.

Entries & Results

2024 Beneficiaries

Beneficiaries

Click here for 2024 Programme

Shine 21 Project

Shine 21 is a local Dorset Down Syndrome group that brings people with Down Syndrome, their friends and supporters together in play groups, family gatherings and organises outings. Dorset is a rural community and it’s really important to connect with like minded people with Down Syndrome. Shine 21 empowers those people with Down Syndrome and their supporters locally.

Shaftesbury In Bloom

Shaftesbury in Bloom was born in the mid 1980's and is an organisation totally run by volunteers, and funded entirely by sponsorship and donations. The sole aim of our organisation is to protect the environment and keep the town a beautiful place for those who live here, work here and visit the area, in that order of priority.

Storm Georges Carnival Club

We are a shaftesbury based club. The previous club was two separate clubs, Storm c.c, and Just georges c.c we are a comic club. We participate in wessex and county carnivals. We are always welcoming new members.

Shaftesbury Primary School PTA

Raising money through events to provide the children and school with extra resources to enrich the children's education

Royalty

History

Carnival royalty goes back over 140 years and along the way we have seen hundreds of individuals crowned Queen and Princess of Shaftesbury Carnival. In 1942 a Queen was chosen but never got to parade due to the war and this saw a break in the carnival until the end of the war. More recently our current royals have been in power since 2019 due to covid 19 pandemic.

In 2019 we introduced a Royal Prince and a junior Princess role. The role of the royal family is asset the carnival committee at events as the face of the carnival. They attend all the carnival events wearing the Royal Sashes, the events include, Bingo, Quiz night, band concert and carnival day to name but a few. The royals are in regin for one year and represent us during this time. 2023 sees the change from carnival granny to carnival grandparent to be inclusive of all the Grandads who want to get involved!