Huge crowds cheer on Shrewsbury Carnival parade - with video and pictures

Music filled the streets as dancers, singers, marchers and walkers made their way through the town centre to the theme of “carnival goes around the world”.

There were a number of scout groups, schools, dance groups, bands, and other groups which came out in the sunshine to be part of the event which was led by Shrewsbury's town crier Martin Wood and the carnival royalty.

Carnival secretary Shelley Oliver said this year’s was the busiest she had seen in since starting to work with the carnival five years ago.

She said: “We had 30 parade entries which includes floats and people on foot who are walking and dancing, which is quite a few more than last year.

“There’s been some fantastic entries this year. “Wem Young Farmers won the award for the most original float this year with their moving helicopter and train. The unsponsored float award went to The Academy with the theme of Mexico.

“The good weather makes so much difference because people remember what a good year it was this year which will encourage them to take part next year."

Shelley added: “The money that we raise in the parade all goes to charity. This year we’re expecting the amount raised to be higher because of how busy it was and that’s what it’s all about really.

“We usually raise between £8,000 and £10,000 from the whole event. Every single penny we collect on the parade goes to charity.

“We believe this is the 40th year since it was re-started. It used to be made up of lots of little parades but then it was brought into one big one.

“It’s been absolutely phenomenal, there are so many people coming out saying this was the best year ever.”

The carnival carried on to the Quarry where there was a stage which held performances and demonstrations from Shropshire Fire and Rescue Service.

Shelley added: “We’ve had lots of acts on the stage in the Quarry all day too.

“This is the busiest year we’ve had since I’ve been secretary.

“Last year we had 19 charities that received funds. Once the carnival is all over and the money has been counted there will be application forms for charities.

“Everybody has completely made so much effort it’s amazing, I’ve never seen anything like it.

“This year’s theme was carnival goes around the world, so we had Mexico themed floats, Rio themed floats, space themed floats, we had some really really good entries this year.”

Tara Meakin was watching the carnival with her eight-year-old son Philip Mazan. Her other two children were on Martin Wilson school’s float.

The 30-year-old said Philip was unwell in hospital last year so missed out on the carnival but this year he was looking forward to it.

She said: “We try and take part every year, but Philip was in hospital last year, he was very unwell.

“It’s a lovely day, once all of the floats come past we’ll go and do a bit of shopping and then go down to the Quarry.

“Everyone has come to Shrewsbury for the carnival, it’s absolutely rammed.”

Clare Jones had travelled from Telford for the carnival with her mother Judith Fish and two children.

Clare said they had not been to the carnival in Shrewsbury before but decided to travel because of the good weather.

She said: “We don’t come very often at all, it’s just because it’s such a nice day. We’ve also been to the Quarry.

“The children really like watching all the floats going past.”