HOPES are mounting that Cardigan Carnival will make a long-awaited comeback in August following an absence of 16 years.

Dating back to the 1930s, the town’s annual jamboree came to an abrupt halt following the foot-and-mouth outbreak of 2001 and never restarted.

Plans for a revival appeared dead in the water as recently as last January when only around a dozen people attended a carnival meeting at Bethania Chapel.

But now a new committee, spearheaded by Cardigan mayor Cllr Richard Jones, is trying to ensure that Carnifal Aberteifi – featuring traditional attractions such as family fun, a float parade and a carnival king and queen – makes a welcome return on Saturday, 5 August.

A committee member, newly elected county councillor Elaine Evans, said she was “really excited” about the plans.

“We’re looking at putting on a whole festive week surrounding Cardigan Show,” she told the Cambrian News.

“We are still looking at public liability and things like that, but I’m hoping it’s going to be as successful a carnival as Aberaeron’s – Cardigan needs one.

“The aim is to get people back together as a community – we have a meeting next Friday and will be looking for volunteers because we’ll need marshals and stewards.”

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