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Read all about the spectacular illuminated carnival
processions of the Somerset and West Country Guy Fawkes Carnivals. The
floats, often 20metres or more in length, feature dazzling animated displays
of thousands of lights and vibrant performances from dancers and other
entertainers aboard the float.
GuyFawkesCarnivals:
GuyFawkesCarnivals: This website is
part of the Fireworks group of websites featuring:
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Judging
How the floats are judged and prizes awarded.
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Carnival floats broadly fall into
two main types: static, or tableaux carts, and feature carts.
The tableax will depict a scene, e.g. from fiction, film or TV,
and part of the presentational skill is for the characters
to remain completely still - a difficult task over a procession
route of several miles.
Feature carts are also built around a theme but they are dynamic
and may involve complex moving structures and dancing or miming
crew.
For the purposes of judging though many different classifications
are created with their own criteria and qualities for which points
are awarded. One distinction might be whether a cart is local
or visiting, separate awards are often given for juvenile entries,
and even the towing vehicles and drivers can be subject to an
award.
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Carnival floats are
evaluated not just in categories but also according to a range
of criteria:
First impressions count - the overall effect and impact which
a float makes on the spectator is a prime consideration.
Build quality - workmanship and technical skills are of the highest
order in the construction of the carts and these are assesd and
taken into account.
Lighting - since these are 'illuminated carnivals' then the lighting
is paramount.It is not simply the volume of light or the number
of bulbs used, but it is the effectiveness and artistry which count.
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Costume and make-up - the characters
depicted on the float are only brought to life and make the cart
theme complete by quality, detail and accuracy of the
costumes, and the authencity of the make-up.
Movement / immobility - two completely opposite qualities but
each essential to the appropriate type of theme:
• On a feature cart
the effectiveness of the movement and how appropriate it is to
the theme.
• For a tableaux, points will be given for how the theme
is depicted and the ability of the figures to maintain their poses.
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| Toppers: Jack Frost |
Shambles: Scoobydoo |
Fellowship: Ice Magic |
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