Llanelli is getting ready for a cracker of a Christmas Carnival

Llanelli is getting ready for its biggest night of the year – and it promises to be a real cracker!
The Christmas carnival and lights switch-on will take place on Friday, November 18 with festive fun for all the family with its traditional floats, spectacular fireworks display, funfair, live music and a host of entertainment.
Around 20,000 people are expected to line the streets to watch the largest carnival procession in Wales; and Heart FM is back for the second year running to broadcast the event across the nation with DJ Jason Harrold.
The carnival is organised by Carmarthenshire County Council, Llanelli Rural Council, Llanelli Town Council and Llanelli Round Table; and this year it is being supported by Dŵr Cymru Welsh Water.
Carmarthenshire County Council Chairman Cllr Eryl Morgan said: “Llanelli Christmas carnival has a reputation for being one of the best in Wales; attracting people from across Carmarthenshire and beyond.
“I am sure that this year’s event will once again be a night to remember; it marks the start of Christmas in Llanelli and is the first of a number of events to be held in the town for the festive season.”
Llanelli Town Mayor Cllr Bill Thomas said: “The carnival is the highlight of the calendar year in Llanelli with thousands of people descending upon the town to enjoy the festivities. A lot of work goes in to organising the carnival and preparations are well underway. I am looking forward to what promises to be yet another brilliant night.”
Llanelli Rural Council Chairman Cllr Stephen Donoghue said: “Llanelli Rural Council is proud to be a partner in the Llanelli Christmas Carnival. It is one of the highlights of the year for Llanelli and gives residents and visitors an opportunity to not only set themselves up for the festive season, but to see what the town has to offer. The ongoing support of this annual event shows the commitment we have to making Llanelli a better place to live, work and enjoy.”
There are already 16 floats confirmed in this year’s carnival procession including Coedcae School, Dancing Divas, Evans Recovery, Llanelli Gymnastic Club, the Friendship Theatre Group, Wales Air Ambulance, Trostre United Football Club, Ysgol Heol Goffa and Nando’s. But there is still time to get involved.
Roger Bowen from Llanelli Round Table said: “We are looking forward to yet another successful Christmas carnival this year. We already have 16 floats confirmed but are hoping to have at least 20 on the night. Hopefully the weather be on our side this year, but even if it isn’t, I know it won’t stop people coming out to enjoy what is always a fantastic night.”
Steve Wilson, managing director of Wastewater Services at Dŵr Cymru Welsh Water, said: “We are delighted to be supporting Llanelli Christmas Carnival 2016. As Carmarthenshire’s largest annual event, we are looking forward to working with the county, town and rural councils, along with Heart FM and Llanelli Round Table, to make this year’s event even bigger than the last.
“Our RainScape team will be adding to the Christmas cheer at the event by offering visitors the chance to take part in fun and games to win prizes.
“We’ll be investing another £20 million in RainScape projects in and around Llanelli’s Station Road from 2017, so our customers will have the opportunity to get more information at this event.
“RainScape helps to reduce the risk of sewer flooding and pollution by catching, slowing and reducing the amount of rain water which goes into the sewer network.
“Residents can speak to a member of the team every Thursday at The Hub in Stepney Street. Customers can also email or call the team for more information at rainscape@dwrcymru.com or on 0800 085 3968.”
Local businesses and community groups interested in taking part in the carnival procession please email Roger at rogerbowen@taxassist.co.uk or call him on 07940 115864.