Ottery St Mary's 'wacky' tradition of carrying flaming barrels through the streets of the town takes place on Tuesday (November 5).

It takes place from 7pm, road closures are in place from 3.30pm. The Ottery Carnival took place on Saturday November 2, which includes the lighting of the bonfire in Millennium Green and stays lit until Tar Barrels.

Organisers have urged visitors to bring cash, as some vendors struggled to take card payments last year. 

Don't Bring Glass There are plenty of Event Bars around town selling drinks in the Tar Barrel cups, or Reuse your own! Profits from these Bars provide vital funds to support the event.

Buy a Programme It contains all the information, location and times of Barrels. It's a beautiful souvenir and a great way to support the event.

Don't Bring Dogs or Small Children The event can get very crowded and can move unexpectedly. It is not an event for people with limited mobility.

Listen to Announcements Marshals, Stewards, and Security are all at the event to keep everyone safe. PA Announcements will also give safety warnings in the Square (Broad Street)

Be prepared for Rain There are very limited inside areas at this event. Umbrellas are No good. Expensive waterproof coats could be damaged by sparks

Plan your way Home There are No late night buses and taxis are usually booked up well in advance.

If you have parked within the Road Closure Area before 3.30pm, be aware the closures are in place to keep everyone safe until 1am

Please don't try to touch the Barrel or get in the way of the rollers.

Road closure orders have also been put in place around the carnival and tar barrels course. 

Road closures come into force at two different times this year, the 1st at 3:30pm on Toadpit Lane, Foxenhale, Kings Reach West Hill and Thorne Farm Way and the 2nd at 5:00pm. 

All the closures coming into Ottery will be manned and blocked. There will be limited access for residents only to the following:

Anyone traveling between Salston Cross and Thorne Farm Way to exercise extreme caution due to the extra pedestrians.

If you are a resident of King’s reach, Thorne Farm Way and Salton Barton and arriving home after 5pm please ensure you have proof of your address with you so that our Marshalls can allow you through the road closure.

If you are unable to access your home please use the car parks provided, pay the £10.00, and ask for a receipt to be able to claim your money back. Or make prior arrangements to enable yourselves to leave or get back in time.

If any resident inside the road closures has an emergency and has to leave the town while the event is on there is a contact number to call: 01404 813838. This number will be manned between 2pm – 1am. 

If you use public transport, be aware that services will be disrupted and you should check with the service provider for details. There will be no additional late night buses. 

 Taxis and buses can Drop Off and Collect from Salston Cross and there will be lighting throughout Strawberry Lane.

For more information, visit their website or social media sites.