The sun shone in Ellesmere Port for the first ever giant carnival on Sunday, June 1.
Led by the mayor Brian Jones, thirty giants and five samba bands emerged from Cromwell Road onto Whitby Road to be welcomed by thousands of cheering supporters.
As the carnival progressed to Civic Way, children joined in with the dancers of the samba band Arts Brasil adding to the community atmosphere of the whole event.
In Civic Square, onlookers enjoyed performances by Arts Brasil, Boomba, Wirral Samba, Live Samba and The Nipponkai Taiko Drummers, flag dancing by Plus Dane and songs and dance from Westminster Primary School children.
At noon Cllr Jones announced the winners of the Best Dressed Giant Award. Top prize went to Plus Dane with their Brazilian Dancer, in second place was Ellesmere Port’s ‘Our Place’ giant and in third place was the Japanese giant Nozomi-chan.
Catherine Hilditch, of 1st Ness Brownies, said: “Our Brownies had a fantastic day out yesterday, thank you! We loved walking in the parade and hearing the comments of the people as we walked along.”
The day rounded off with the Big Lunch held in the Civic Hall and a celebratory photograph of all the giants and participants for Google Earth.
The festival was made possible by a confusion over dates resulting in it being switched from Chester to Ellesmere Port.
More than 30 community groups worked for about three months to create the 14 ft giants.
GiANT manager Kristine Szulik said: “It has been great fun working with all the groups from the town.
“Everyone really entered into the spirit of carnival.”
