By Caroline Lewis and Sam Beamish

Weymouth Carnival was a super summer smasher.

Despite a changed format, which saw organisers drop a few regular features – and the world-famous Red Arrows missing the event – tens of thousands flocked to the resort to enjoy the proceedings.

There were cloudy skies throughout the day but it stayed dry meaning huge crowds came out to watch the evening procession.

Unfortunately due to a lack of entries the afternoon barrel rolling race and the soapbox races were cancelled.

The second and main day of the carnival started with a sparkle as this year’s Carnival Queen and princesses were crowned on the balcony of the New Vic.

Onlookers gathered as Mayor of Weymouth and Portland Cllr Gill Taylor, greeted the new Carnival Queen and princesses with a smile, before handing them their crowns and sashes.

Cllr Taylor said: “I was involved in this year’s selection process and it was very difficult to choose, but these girls were excellent.

“Weymouth Carnival is great for Weymouth. It’s good for residents and tourists who visit the town. I have volunteered for the last few years and all the volunteers this year have worked so hard.”

Carnival Queen Lizzie Graham said: “I thought it was really good. I was so nervous but at the same time really excited. When I was crowned I got a bit emotional.”

Carnival Princess, Lisa Cottingham, added: “I was nervous beforehand but when I got out there it was really fun.”

She explained that the girls had been at the hairdressers since 7am preparing for the event.

Afterwards, they headed to the beach where they judged the sandcastle competition, which was run in conjunction with Sandworld Weymouth.

The winners of this year’s competition were the Watkins family, who wowed judges with their sand sculpture of an ammonite.

Jason Watkins said the family didn’t expect to win but enter every year.

His son Rhys Harvey Watkins added that he was inspired by the Jurassic Coast.

After the competition a number of performances took place at the beach arena, including an exhilarating dance routine from Julie Storey’s dance group.

The performances were followed by a boys v girls tug of war competition.

Brothers and sisters competed to pull the other team over the line, but in the end the girls came out on top.

Those attending this year’s carnival said they enjoyed themselves.

Leeanne Clark from Maiden Newton said: “We came to the torchlight procession and were determined to do the sandcastle competition. We can’t wait to watch the evening procession.”

Anne Hodgson from the Wirral said: “It’s been lovely, everything is very reasonable, and the beach is clean. There’s lots for the children to do and they’re having a great time.”

The grand carnival procession featured an array of colourful floats, marching bands, dancers and majorettes. There were plenty of walking entries and an assortment of different vehicles taking part including tanks.

Mayor Gill Taylor took part in the procession in a car provided by Dowsetts.

She said: “The carnival has been absolutely brilliant. It’s lovely to see Weymouth like this, so busy and everyone enjoying themselves.

“Thank you to all the volunteers for organising it and making it possible and to the community for rallying behind it.”

'Much more to see and do'

DESPITE the grey skies spirits were high in Weymouth as an afternoon of carnival celebrations got under way.

Families flocked from across the country to enjoy the atmosphere and array of entertainment on offer.

Zoe Lambert and her daughters Tamsin, 11, and Natasha, nine, came all the way from Derbyshire to enjoy the festivities.

“We came last year purely by coincidence as we were staying in Weymouth.

“We don’t have anything like this where we live and we absolutely loved it – so we decided to come back,” Mrs Lambert said.

Tamsin and Natasha added their favourite part of the carnival last year was dancing along with the procession and they were very excited about joining in again.

Weymouth local Karlene Brown said she comes to the carnival every year with her whole family.

She said she thought this year there was much more to see and do than previous years.

The sun broke through the clouds as thousands of people gathered on the Esplanade to watch a series of spectacular aerial displays over Weymouth Bay including a Tiger 9, a Spitfire and nerve-wracking aerobatics.

Members of the RAF impressed crowds with their police dog demonstration plus there were displays from Evolution Dance and local judo and football clubs.

Donna Roy, from Poole, said the carnival’s atmosphere was what keeps her family coming back.

“We’ve been coming for three years. Everything along the front is so easily accessible and the kids absolutely love it. It’s even better now the sun has come out and we are really looking forward to the parade,” she said.

Alan Collins who owns Hedleys of Weymouth on the Esplanade said the carnival was always good for local traders.

“I absolutely love the carnival – this is our fifth carnival and I dress up every year.

“It’s been a fantastic summer and a great start to the season. I don’t think any business owners can complain.”

Magic of parade

CROWDS lined the seafront to watch scores of floats and teams take part in this year’s parade.

For the first time, the NHS’ minor injuries unit at Weymouth was represented in the carnival.

Healthcare assistant Mark Phillips decided to enter a float just seven weeks before the big day.

He said: “We’ve never done it before and everyone kept saying to me – do it next year but I thought we are going to do it and we’ve done it. Everyone on the float is NHS staff - doctors, nurses, healthcare assistants - just off duty. It’s a great way to raise awareness of the hospital. There’s good vibes and the sun’s sunning - I think we’ll do it again next year.”

Founder of Wessex Majorettes, Lucky Gollop said the group attend carnivals up and down the country but Weymouth is always one they look forward to.

“The atmosphere when you get on the seafront - there’s nothing like it. The girls will be brilliant as always.”