Jubilation Cart coming to Exeter for return of the Carnival
Published: 4 November 2022
A float used in the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee Pageant parade in London this summer is coming to Exeter to take part in the city’s Carnival.
The Jubilation Cart will feature in the Exeter Carnival on 26 November. Exeter will be the only carnival outside Somerset where the Jubilation Cart will be involved.
It was built specially for the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee Pageant parade in June by more than 200 people from 17 different carnival clubs. Construction started in August 2021 and took eight months to complete.
It’s less than a month to go now before the Exeter Carnival. The organisation behind the Carnival, InExeter - the Business Improvement District - has released more information about the procession.
Ann Hunter, BID Manager at InExeter says “The return of Exeter Carnival following 24 years is a historic day for the city and is one we should all celebrate.
“We are incredibly proud that the new Exeter Carnival will include the Jubilation Cart that took part in the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee Pageant parade in London this summer. Exeter is the only carnival outside Somerset other than the parade in London where the cart can be seen. We feel very privileged to be delivering Exeter Carnival back to the city and for the Jubilation Cart joining us for this momentous day.”
The impressive cart reflects the various regal elements of the monarchy including the royal crest, four revolving crowns, 12 moving Beefeaters and eight royal carriages. There are 40 engineered moving parts, 18 spectacularly crafted models, 4,000+ lights and additional spotlights with 36 individual speakers powered by 43.5 kilowatts. The build itself used 180 sheets of 12mm plywood, over 20,000 wood screws and 200 litres of environmentally friendly water-based paint to decorate the cart.
Visit Exeter, the Destination Marketing Organisation for Exeter run by Exeter City Council are sponsoring Exeter Carnival. Claire Toze, Tourism Manager at Visit Exeter said: “Jubilation coming to Exeter is a once in a lifetime experience that should not be missed. The return of Exeter Carnival is something we cannot wait to be a part of.”
Dave Jennings from Griffens Carnival Club comments: “It was an immense privilege to have been invited to celebrate Queen Elizabeth II’s long reign and dedicated service. We remain proud of the manner in which we commemorated such an historic occasion. The memory of that day, and of the Queen herself, will stay with us for as long as we live.”
Carnival is something that a whole generation has missed in Exeter and the city will be lit up spectacularly on 26th November. Jubilation will be joined by carnival clubs from the South Somerset Federation, East Devon and South Devon circuits alongside local entries from groups and organisations in Exeter.
Entries visitors can experience at Exeter Carnival include Harlequin Carnival Club who attended the first Exeter Carnival in 1977. Local choir ‘Big Noise Chorus’ have also entered and will be performing on a bus provided by travel sponsor Stagecoach.
Exeter Carnival will start at 6pm at the bottom of South Street. It will parade up South Street, turning right onto the High Street, processing up Sidwell Street all the way to the Odeon roundabout, around the roundabout and back down Sidwell Street to finish at the junction with High Street and Paris Street.
No matter where people watch the carnival they will see all of the parade. Those spectating on Sidwell Street will get the chance to see the parade pass twice, as the carnival procession will parade up then turn around to parade back along Sidwell Street. InExeter encourage people to spread out across the route to get a great view of the parade.
For more information and all updates please visit www.exetercarnival.com.