FAQs

Hatherleigh Carnival Committee are always looking for more local people to enter a float into our carnival, which takes place on the second Saturday of November each year. We appreciate this can seem like a daunting task to undertake, but everyone had to start somewhere and so the people and families taking part each year have also been in your shoes! Taking part in the carnival is a fun and rewarding experience for adults and children alike.

The committee are dedicated to keeping the carnival tradition going and are willing to help, and support, anyone considering making a float for the first time. Here are a few frequently asked questions you may have when considering starting a float.

A. No. The carnival committee are aware that not all entrants wish to use crepe paper. Therefore, we have a class entitled ‘Decorated’ which states that: ‘any material can be used but there must be no more than 25% crepe paper.’ This means that you do not have to use any crepe paper but if you wish to experiment with a little, then this is the class for you! We also have a comic class in which any materials are acceptable.

A. If anyone is interested in using crepe paper then please contact a member of the committee who will be able to help you or put you in touch with someone willing to help and share the skills needed to do this (you can do this by searching for ‘Hatherleigh Carnival’ on Facebook).

A. You will need a trailer, a tractor, a generator, lighting and materials to build your float (such as wood, crepe paper, etc). There are also some safety features which will be required, which can be found in the ‘Rules and regulations’ section of both the programme and this website.

A. There will be some cost involved, but the key is to be resourceful – in other words ‘beg, steal and borrow’!! All classes receive a generous grant to help towards the cost. Working with friends and family will also help spread the cost further.

A. Yes, there are some mandatory rules which the carnival committee enforce in order to keep both the participants and the public safe. These rules do not involve a lot of extra work or preparation. These can be found in the ‘Rules and Regulations’ section of both the programme and also the website. Please contact a member of the committee to discuss the rules further.

A. You should start to think of an idea a few months before carnival and aim to start preparing the carnival float in early September.

A. You can do it on your own but it is often more fun if you join forces with friends or family. Alternatively, if your child belongs to an organisation, why not find out if other parents or leaders are interested in making a float?