Following a flood of requests to submit names for the clown for their new logo created by local publishing company, Ignyte Media Ltd, the Midsomer Norton and District Carnival Association has decided to open the clown naming competition early.

“When we were looking at ideas for a new clown, we wanted to present the Carnival Association with something vibrant and exciting to sum up everything that Carnival is about. In discussions with the Carnival team, we decided to focus on the bright red and yellow to represent the thousands of lights on each float, as well as a much more vibrant and engaging clown. So we were delighted that the logo has had so much positive feedback in its first week,” said Tina Veater, of Ignyte Media Ltd, who not only created the logo design, but also waived her company’s fee, gifting it to the Carnival Association as her business’s contribution to the success of this and future years’ events.

The aim now is to get as many entries as possible in the naming competition. It is open to entrants of all ages, is free and you can enter as many times as you like. All you have to do is to go onto the Carnival Association’s website and complete the entry form, which includes the tie breaker question - “What year was the first Midsomer Norton Carnival?”

The winner will then be selected by a judging panel consisting of Tina Veater, Hazel Franklin and Steve Collins, from the Carnival Association, and Paul  Myers, Mayor of Midsomer Norton.

Meanwhile, this week the Carnival Association have launched a colour map of the new route which forms the centrepiece of their website and an information leaflet they are delivering over 2,000 residents and businesses at addresses affected by the road closures.

“In order for Carnival to take place for the whole community to enjoy, there inevitably have to be road closures. This year, with a shorter more compact route, our aim has been to reduce the level of disruption. At the same time, we’ve invested in more notice signs than ever before and produced a leaflet for residents and businesses giving much more detail on how the rolling road closure will work, which we hope will allow everyone to plan ahead,” said Hazel Franklin, Secretary of the Midsomer Norton and District Carnival Association.  

For full details of Midsomer Norton Carnival, please visit www.illuminatedcarnival.co.uk