THE rain kept away throughout the day for the annual South Zeal Carnival, the 29th since the event was revived.

Year after year, a hard working team ensures all age groups are catered for and once again it was the young people who set the standards.

An enthusiastic band of fancy dress contestants proudly showed off their costumes on their parade to the village recreation ground.

Spirits were high despite a chilly wind but with judging completed, the beaming smiles of the young competitors warmed the crowd and the delight of the winners made the event another success for the organisers.

Villagers and visitors viewing the floats assembled for the evening procession which proved that a small village can attract the best of entries that are both a delight and a credit to the tradition of village carnivals as late autumn events.

Okehampton Excelsior Silver Band, the amazing enthusiasm of the invading young pirates, the magnificent Egyptians, energetic young farmers and the host of colourful characters lit up the event.

The organisers expressed sincere thanks to every carnival entrant and entry, Okehampton Excelsior Silver Band, Okehampton Lions Club, the marshalls, and to their sponsors.

With the organisers now looking towards the 2018 carnival, any who would like to help can contact Dawn Watkins via southzealcarnival @googlemail.com

Results for afternoon event:

Under 5 years: 1, Winnie The Pooh, Esther May Edwards; 2 Elsie’s Farm, Elsie Pearn; 3 Pirate, Oliver Moore.

5-7 years: 1, Clown on a dinosaur, Cameron Moore; 2 Jack and the Beanstalk, Harry Abbott; 3 The Worst Witch, Alice Humphreys.

8-9 years: 1, Flat Stanley, Stanley Frangleton.

10-11 years: 1, Yellow line warden, Ed Selwood; 2, Batgirl, Lucy Abbott; 3, Gremlin, Tom Frangleton.

Over 12 years: 1, the Great British Weather, Ben Rogers; 2, Dragon warrior, Ruth Frangleton.

Pairs: 1, St George and the dragon, Nathaniel and Alexander Angel; 2, pirates, Bethany and Sam Gentle; 3, Wizard of Oz.

Decorated wheels: 1, Lucky leprechauns, Joshua and Edward Penna; 2, Super Mario, Harry Dayman; 3, police, Oscar Barker and Jake Friend.

Groups: 1, Beauty and the Beast, Hester, Matilda and Imogen; 2, Endangered animals, the Brownies.

Best overall winner: Lucky leprechauns, Joshua and Edward Penna.

Results for evening event:

Carnival Royalty: princess Dorothy Parker-Groom and prince Xavier Diffey.

Leading the procession: The Gruffalo.

Artistic: 1, Fiddely Diddely, the Penna and Dell families; 2, Haunted House, Winkleigh YFC.

Original: 1, Pirates of the Caribbean, OCRA; 2, Walk like an Egyptian, Steven, Anstey and friends; 3, Rumble in the Jungle, Newton St Cyres YFC.

Topical: 1, Peter Rabbit and friends, Sprockett CC; 2, Love Island, Okehampton YFC.

Visiting Royalty: 1, Okehampton prince and princess.

Single walking individual; 1, Sweet shop, Graham Jones; 2, Great British Weather, Ben Rogers.

Walking pairs: 1, Vikings, Ruth and Beth Frangleton. 

Walking groups: 1, the circus, Sticklepath Fireshow.

Pedestrian controlled vehicle: 1, police, Oscar Barker and Jake Friend.

Best YFC: Winkleigh YFC.

Best walking: Sweet shop, Graham Jones.

Best visiting: Fiddely Diddely.

Best childrens: Peter Rabbit and Friends, Sprockett CC.

Best Local: Peter Rabbit and Friends, Sprockett CC.

Best overall:?Peter Rabbit and Friends, Sprockett CC.

Pictures by Tony Bott.