While participants and spectators had to endure a drenching as it rained on the parade at Saturday’s Bishop’s Stortford Carnival, it was very much a sun day for the fun day element that followed on Sworder’s Field.
After the floats and walking groups had defied the deluge to sing and dance their way along the procession route from South Mill Arts, the sun returned as Castle Park hosted an afternoon of entertainment, a funfair and charity and community stalls, all organised by the town council.
Parade participants KBD Dance, Graham School of Dance and Theatre Arts, Apton Dance Studio, Bishop’s Stortford Rock Choir and Tracey Walker School of Dancing performed in the open-air main arena, along with the Pauline Quirke Academy and the Buskerteers Choir.
On the bandstand, the programme of music and dance comprised Thaxted Morris Men, covers band Last Orders, Grove Cottage performers, the Belly Belles, Woodwind of Stortford and Bishop’s Stortford Ukulele Society.
The crowds, by now dried out from the morning’s downpour, soaked up the community vibe as they browsed the various stalls managed by community groups, charities, businesses, market stall holders and food and drink vendors.
