The government has been urged to take action to protect the future of traditional carnivals, including in Somerset.
Sarah Dyke, the Liberal Democrat MP for Glastonbury and Somerton, recently led a backbench business debate in Parliament calling for greater support for carnivals, which she described as central to the cultural, economic, and social life of communities.
Carnivals have been celebrated in Somerset for more than 400 years, and the county’s carnival season is estimated to generate more than £40m a year.
Ahead of the debate, Ms Dyke convened a roundtable with carnival clubs, organisers, and stakeholders to discuss the challenges they face.
She told Parliament that while volunteers dedicate thousands of hours each year, rising costs are making events increasingly difficult to sustain.
Ms Dyke said: "Carnivals have been celebrated in Somerset for over 400 years and they remain a wonderful celebration of the economic, social and cultural life of our communities.
"They are part of the fabric of towns and villages across Somerset and across England.
"Yet the volunteers who keep this tradition alive are facing rising costs, falling street collections and growing regulatory pressures.
"Castle Cary and Ansford Carnival Committee told me their costs had risen from £9,000 in 2022 to £13,000.
"While for participants, the cost of putting a single illuminated cart on the road can now exceed £30,000.
"When we talk about Somerset’s illuminated carnivals, we are not just talking about spectacle and tradition.
"We are also talking about jobs, local businesses, tourism, charities and community investment.
"Carnival is quite simply part of Somerset’s DNA, and the government must work with organisers to ensure these much-loved events remain a living part of our heritage."
Ms Dyke called on the government to work with organisers and local authorities to provide the support and resources needed to sustain the historic events.
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