With Oompa Loompa's battling it out with a band of Pirates from the Carribean, to see who could soak the most spectators and participants, Tenby's Firemen's Carnival on Wednesday certainly made for lively viewing this year. The fun started early in the day with festivities centered around the town's Fire Station in South Parade, where a feast of fun for all the family took place. As 5.15 pm approached, fancy dress walkers assembled in the Railway Station Car Park, with plenty of colourful characters keen to make an impression. Entrants featured everything from 'Tenby Travellers' to some 'Spanish Dancers', and while a couple made no attempt to hide their 'Unfashionable' outfits two in particular wanted to stand out as 'Picture Perfect'. Amongst the lorry-borne entries a few were well prepared for a spot of 'Singing in the Rain', while others were happy to spread a bit of 'Love and Peace' in their quest to win the golden ticket of best overall float. Led by the Swansea East Carnival Display Band, the procession made its way through the streets of the town, with anyone armed with a water pistol getting their come-uppance from the fire crew's rather more powerful weapon! The cavalcade reached its final destination at the harbour car park, where Mayor, Clr. Mrs. Tish Rossiter was on hand to present the winners with their well-earned prizes, although all the excitement of a victory proved too much for one Willy Wonka, who had to cool down with a dip in the sea, along with his trustee band of Oompa Loompa's! Once again, the main recipient of the money raised by Tenby's dedicated band of retained firefighters during the course of the day was the Firemen's Benevolent Fund. "It was a great day in the town with plenty of fun and frolics and everyone involved really getting into the spirit of the event with some superb float and fancy dress entries," said chairman of Tenby Fire Station's Benevolent Fund, Kris Steel. "We'd like to say a huge thanks to everyone who took part and apologise to anyone who got wet that didn't want to and hope to see everyone back again for more of the same next year," he continued, also giving a special thanks to carnival sponsors Tenby House Hotel and the prize judges the Dean family from Swansea and the McCreadie family from Cardiff. Results were as follows:
FLOATS
Best charity float - Tenby Round Table. Best pub float - Willy Wonka (Prince of Wales and Mother Browns). Best decorated float - 1. St. Teilo's School; 2. Fun in the Sun (The Sun Inn); 3. Pirates of the Carribean (The Three Mariners).
FANCY DRESS
Under three: 1. A Bug's Life (Gwen Dodd); 2. Picture Perfect (Chloe and Tyler Harte); 3. 'I am the Music Man' (Archie Brooks). Under seven: 1. Army Men (Harry and George Rossiter); 2. Batman (Ryan Bolton); 3. Spanish Dancers (Grace and Amber). Under 11: 1. Willy Wonka (Nia, Rhianon, Ella, Neave); 2. Tenby Travellers (Malley and Casie Paxton); 3. Coconut (Aurora). Eleven to 18: 1. Wales (Denny Patterson); 2. Runners (Howell and Rhian Price); 3. Unfashionable Ladies (Yasmin and Rebecca). Adult: 1. House of Hair (Janina Louise House of Hair).