THE SHOW might go on – but not necessarily as it has before.
That’s the message from organisers of this year’s Dawlish Celebrates Carnival as they wait to see what possible restrictions might effect the popular week-long event in mid-August.
‘We have had lots of interest from people asking if the event is going ahead this year, which I think shows how much affection there is for the event,’ said Dawlish Celebrates Carnival chairman Angie Weatherhead.
‘Currently what requirements or restrictions we may need to meet for holding Carnival or any event after June 21 are not yet clear. The Government has an Events Research Programme which reports during the roadmap timescale and this will guide decisions not only for Carnival but all larger scale events.
‘The carnival is held on our wonderful public open space of Lawn and normally is open to all so restrictions of any kind would have a significant impact on the type of event we could hold.’
As a result the carnival committee are planning a Plan A and a Plan B.
Plan A is what they hope to do if normality returns, but plan B focuses on what the event might look like if it has to take into account any aspect of social distancing or limit numbers.
Obviously formulating two plans is not easy task. especially as all of carnival committee are volunteers who have also been volunteering manning Dawlish Hospital car park for the vaccinations over recent months.
‘One aspect that is certain for 2021 is we are not planning a parade or glow show,’ continued Angie. ‘Our parade entertainment costs alone were nearly £9,000 in 2019 and the glow show a similar figure.
‘In 2019 carnival as a whole cost nearly £60,000. So as a committee it seems sensible not to try and put on a parade which would only disappoint and that’s if it is possible.’
However, there is hope that the fun event will go ahead, albeit in different way than it has past years.
‘The optimistic news is yes, the Committee are trying to plan for a carnival week,’ added Angie.
The planned dates are between August 14 and 20. Further announcements will be made and the advice is to check Dawlish Celebrates Carnival website and Facebook page for updates.