GALLERY : March three day festival and carnival was simply the best ever
IT was bigger and better than ever with thousands turning out to support March Summer Festival over a weekend of glorious sunshine. Crowds gathered to watch the Carnival parade as it made its way through the town centre led by Peterborough Highland Pipe B
IT was bigger and better than ever with thousands turning out to support March Summer Festival over a weekend of glorious sunshine.
Crowds gathered to watch the Carnival parade as it made its way through the town centre led by Peterborough Highland Pipe Band.
Festival committee member and in-coming president of March Lions, Sylvia Keane said: "It was just fantastic. The support was so spectacular that when we got to the park the car couldn't get through the crowds and we had to get out and make our way on foot to the stage.
"There were lots more stalls on the park than in previous years and everyone looked as if they were enjoying themselves. Perhaps because of the money situation people thought they would take advantage of a great free weekend."
Photographer Brian Purdy said: "That's the biggest crowd I've ever seen in the park.
It was fantastic and all credit to the organisers who did a great job."
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Karen Matthews and her father, Les, from Chatteris, joined the parade having won a March Festival competition organised by the Cambs Times/ Wisbech Standard.
After being collected by their chauffer for the day, Editor John Elworthy, they called into the Oliver Cromwell Hotel for breakfast.
It was then out through the town for a short tour before the 1995 Bentley, kindly loaned to us by M T Cars of Whittlesey (and available to buy at a cool �15,000!), took its place in the parade.
Town Mayor John West who was in the parade with the carnival princess and her attendants described the event as "simply fantastic".
He said: "It is a day by the people, for the people and I was delighted to be there."
The three day event got under way on Friday with 'rock in the park'.
March and Chatteris Lions organised a car boot sale on Saturday morning and the afternoon's entertainment in West End Park included Alison's Street Dancers, Wississippi Jazzmen and Lisa Dickinson's Dance Mania. There were stalls from a whole host of organisations, fairground rides, entertainment for children, a fancy dress competition and the ice cream sellers did a roaring trade.
There was 'pop in the park' with local band Storey, The Journey, Los Kiosk Bears, Money's Uncle, Loose Baby Charlotte and Krak'n all taking featured turns.
Sunday was just as popular with a picnic in the park event and March Brass kicking off the day's entertainment from noon.
The highlight of Sunday was the Alan Norris Big Band which rounded off the 10th festival.
