AN estimated 50,000 people spilled out on to the streets to let their hair down and be part of the 104th Crewe Carnival at the weekend.
Generations of families from across South Cheshire came along to celebrate the district's party of the year.
The weekend started with crooner Dave Charlesworth entertaining the town centre crowds.
Attention then turned to the parade which lit up the streets with an array of colour and music as it made its way from Prince Albert Street to Queen's Park.
A delighted Joan Kuenne, from Goddard Street in Crewe, and her friends Veronica Ollier and Margaret Scarborough waited patiently for 45 minutes in West Street for the procession on Saturday.
She said: 'Crewe Carnival is lovely. We come every year. It is a brilliant weekend and everyone comes out and enjoys it together.
'It is a wonderful atmosphere and the parade is the highlight for me.'
This year's event was the culmination of the nine-day Crewe and Nantwich Cultural Festival.
It is the first time the two events have merged - they have done so to attract larger crowds to the town's showpiece event.
Borough council marketing officer Rachel Perkins helped organise this year's event. She said: 'This year
there were a lot more businesses who wanted to take part.
'Commercially these companies are seeing Crewe as a hotspot and a town that is on the up and they want to be part of that.
'We are now hoping to build on the infrastructure and support that the carnival already has in place to really make the event take off over the next couple of years.
'I think the carnival is so popular because of the history of the event.
'It's a free family fun day that everyone can enjoy.'
Cllr Howard Curran, portfolio holder for local activities, said he was delighted
with the way people supported the event.
Cllr Curran said: 'This is a really important event for the people of Crewe and particularly the people who live in the West End.
'They should be really proud of themselves. It is important that the legacy of the carnival continues.'
At Queen's Park families were treated to all manner of displays and entertainment.
These included falconry, street dance, a giant robot wandering around getting to know the crowds, the even-ing's main event, top tribute act ABBA Arrival; and a lakeside firework display.
The entertainment continued on Sunday with local bands, performers and arts and crafts stalls keeping people entertained.
