MONMOUTH Carnival will be returning on Sunday, June 30, with organisers hoping to build on the success of the 2023 event with more entries and a whole range of activities and displays on Chippenham Field into the afternoon.

With this year’s theme being “Go Wild” the carnival committee have warned townsfolk and visitors to be on the lookout for ferocious beasts roaming the streets, but the theme is entirely open to interpretation, so entrants can let their imaginations run wild.

The carnival procession will leave Agincourt Square at 1PM, with entrants from 3 categories: individuals and small groups (4 or fewer), large groups and non-motorised vehicles (including mobility scooters). The top prize for each category is an impressive £200 cash, with entries expected from families, school groups, workplaces and local youth and community groups.

The ever-popular Batala samba band will be in attendance, joined this year by the Ambling Band, a brass band unlike any other, and one not likely to be forgotten in a hurry!

Following the procession, Chippenham Field will be the centre of fun and entertainment for the remainder of the afternoon until around 5pm.

Highlights will include the return of the climbing tower from 2023, BMX display, falconry and fun and games from Megabounce, and a range of local clubs and groups Celebrating Monmouth this year.

Not to be missed will be performances from the talented Monmouth Gymnastics Club and Monmouth Male Voice Choir. Entry to the event is free, but some activities are chargeable.

It will be well worth visiting the town on the day before as well, to take in the sounds and sights of local traders joining in with the carnival spirit. Saturday, June 29, will see the return of the traders’ carnival, with local shops and businesses competing to win the best-dressed premises trophy, with the Monnow Fish Bar defending their title from last year.

The winning entry will also win an outdoor adventure for their staff from local company Borderlands Outdoor.

This year, there will also be a great competition for local school students to enter in the weeks before the carnival, with creative themes for each year group.

Details of this will be shared with each school participating. Voucher prizes for the competition have been kindly donated by local businesses Paul Jarrold Tyres and outdoor and learning play equipment company Playwood Ltd.

Carnival procession entries can be made online at monmouthcarnival.co.uk or can be made on the day in Agincourt Square. Full details and updates can be found at monmouthcarnival.co.uk or at facebook.com/monmouthcarnival.

Monmouth Carnival is run by a local volunteer committee, in partnership with Monmouth Town Council who provide most of the funding.

This year, the carnival has also been supported by donations from Handyman House and with support from Rotary Monmouth and Protech staging.