The 2016 Evesham Carnival, hosted by Vale of Evesham Round Table, managed to avoid most of the wet weather, so it could parade around the town to packed crowds.
The judging of the many and various floats took place around lunchtime in mostly bright and sunny conditions, from a judging panel of Marcus Toney (Chair Evesham Round Table), Deputy Mayor Sue Amos, and Francis Smith (Wychavon District Council Chair) with the Carnival Queen 11-year-old Kiaragh Brown and town Cryer John Raffiel in attendance. The Carnival Queen was from St Egwin’s School and was in a red dress to support her chosen charity, the British Heart Foundation. Her hobbies are singing, dancing, and acting.
With the judging complete the parade was about to set off when the heavens opened with a heavy shower of rain. This delayed the start, but after 15 minutes the skies brightened and off the procession went.
It was led by volunteer motorcycle riders and then by the St. Andrew’s Cheltenham pipe band. Following along was the Carnival Queens float and 
other VIPs. Then the long line of decorated floats from local schools, churches, and other groups followed on their 40-foot trailers pulled by lorries from local companies. The route took the procession over both the new bridge and the Workman bridge, through the town centre, and back to the start on the Crown Meadow by the river.
The large crowds massed the route and cheered all the floats, marching bands, and dance groups entertaining them.
Once the procession was over the awards were given to the best floats with the first three almost tied together in the voting. The winning float was announced as Sedgeborough School with Heart of England Mencap 2nd and St Richards Church of England School in 3rd place. All the winners received a cheque as their award.
Then the evening musical entertainment started led by DJ James Locke.
The organisers will now be taking stock of this year’s successful event and planning the 2017 event.
