Features and Reviews

Brixham Christmas Carnival 2011

This year's Brixham Christmas Carnival proved to be the biggest, brightest, loudest as it circled the town twice on Saturday 3rd December. Equally the massive waiting crowds of onlookers lined the harbor and streets, undoubtedly encouraged by the mild and dry weather, which made the whole event even more enjoyable!

The loud and colourful Street Heat Samba Band played for the carnival visitors under the Old Fish Market before the start of the carnival. They soon had everyone in the mood, before they joined the carnival, as it set off after sun set at 4.30pm with Brixham's Samba Jam and a Samba band from Totnes also lifting the spirits of the crowd.

With over 45 different entries of vehicles, floats, bands, and walking troops this was the longest Christmas Carnival so far! The lead vehicle behind the police car included compere Tony Criddle, which as it finished one circuit, almost caught up with the tail end of the procession where the St John's Ambulance was positioned!

The many people lining the streets were soon excited and enjoying the long parade with its mix of music including Christmas carols, songs old and new, some of which majorette troop Brixham All Stars performed to. To add to the festive fun cardboard reindeer hats were handed out to the public so a sea of antlers could be seen along the carnival, adding to the fun of the evening.

The different mixture of music styles also included two sets of Morris men playing their own tunes, the Jazz Band and Okehampton Brass Band, whilst sounds of the Caribbean were also brought to Brixham by the troupe of Caribbean Dancers. There were even sounds of the 60s blasting out along the route as the Hippy Hi Ho float processed along.

This year there was an abundance of floats each with their own theme, from Miss Torbay to the Cowtown Carnival Mayor and Princesses, not forgetting Father Christmas in his sleigh, who was blowing bubbles to imitate snow and the Ace Taxis ice throne with princess, next to a snow covered Christmas Tree. Completing the Christmas theme, the All Saints Church float was filled with the children around a nativity scene, heralding the birth of Jesus.

Many vehicles also made up the carnival, with two fire engines, the Heart FM red car, Eric Lloyd vintage car and the Pride in Brixham lorry. Some more unusual modes of transport included HYPA mobility scooters made up as Christmas Presents, a Trike and the Sled Dogs pulling a rig, which was a big hit with the on lookers, as they wanted to go up and stroke the dogs.

Costumes groups interspersed with the vehicles included the Brixham Buccaneers, up to their pirate antics, the Brixham Sea Rangers dressed in ballroom gowns and face masks, the Indigos dressed as characters from the Wizard of Oz and many groups dressed up as Christmas Presents, such as Sure Start Parents and Toddlers.

Whilst Brixham Battery dressed in military uniforms and Battlefield Live were in their army gear, the South Devon Players, the Parrot, Elfic the unicyclist and Les the Fez made their presence felt too.