Crowds flock to the 39th Whittlesey Straw Bear Festival

39th Whittlesey Straw Bear. Photo: Ian Carter (Image: Garry Samuels)

Festival fans took to Facebook to praise the event saying it was a family friendly, popular day out that has been running successfully in the town since the 80s.

One said: “It is a fantastic day of fun and friendship” while another said: “The Straw Bear Festival brings people together.”

Organisers said on their social media: “Big thanks to everyone who helped to make the 39th Straw Bear Festival a great success, we wouldn’t have a show without you!”

39th Whittlesey Straw Bear. Photo: Ian Carter (Image: Garry Samuels)

The traditional parade was followed with scores of individual groups of dancers, including teams from local schools.

Dance styles ranged from Molly, Morris, Clog and Sword dancing, American style Appalachian and street performances of Mummers plays.

There were a wide range of musicians, stalls a barn dance and story telling sessions all rounded off with the traditional burning of the bear ceremony.

39th Whittlesey Straw Bear. Photo: Ian Carter (Image: Garry Samuels)

In 1999 the Straw Bear made friends with a German Straw Bear from Walldürn near Frankfurt, a town that celebrates its own Straw Bear Festival on the Monday before Shrove Tuesday, and they too get involved with celebrations here in Cambridgeshire.

39th Whittlesey Straw Bear. Photo: Ian Carter (Image: Garry Samuels)

39th Whittlesey Straw Bear. Photo: Ian Carter (Image: Garry Samuels)

39th Whittlesey Straw Bear. Photo: Ian Carter (Image: Garry Samuels)

39th Whittlesey Straw Bear. Photo: Ian Carter (Image: Garry Samuels)

39th Whittlesey Straw Bear. Photo: Ian Carter (Image: Garry Samuels)

39th Whittlesey Straw Bear. Photo: Ian Carter (Image: Garry Samuels)

39th Whittlesey Straw Bear. Photo: Ian Carter (Image: Garry Samuels)

39th Whittlesey Straw Bear. Photo: Ian Carter (Image: Garry Samuels)

39th Whittlesey Straw Bear. Photo: Ian Carter (Image: Garry Samuels)

39th Whittlesey Straw Bear. Photo: Ian Carter (Image: Garry Samuels)

39th Whittlesey Straw Bear. Photo: Ian Carter (Image: Garry Samuels)

39th Whittlesey Straw Bear. Photo: Ian Carter (Image: Garry Samuels)

39th Whittlesey Straw Bear. Photo: Ian Carter (Image: Garry Samuels)

39th Whittlesey Straw Bear. Photo: Ian Carter (Image: Garry Samuels)

39th Whittlesey Straw Bear. Photo: Ian Carter (Image: Garry Samuels)

39th Whittlesey Straw Bear. Photo: Ian Carter (Image: Garry Samuels)

39th Whittlesey Straw Bear. Photo: Ian Carter (Image: Garry Samuels)

39th Whittlesey Straw Bear. Photo: Ian Carter (Image: Garry Samuels)

39th Whittlesey Straw Bear. Photo: Ian Carter (Image: Garry Samuels)

39th Whittlesey Straw Bear. Photo: Ian Carter (Image: Garry Samuels)

39th Whittlesey Straw Bear. Photo: Ian Carter (Image: Garry Samuels)

39th Whittlesey Straw Bear. Photo: Ian Carter (Image: Garry Samuels)

39th Whittlesey Straw Bear. Photo: Ian Carter (Image: Garry Samuels)

39th Whittlesey Straw Bear. Photo: Ian Carter (Image: Garry Samuels)

39th Whittlesey Straw Bear. Photo: Ian Carter (Image: Garry Samuels)

39th Whittlesey Straw Bear. Photo: Ian Carter (Image: Garry Samuels)

39th Whittlesey Straw Bear. Photo: Ian Carter (Image: Garry Samuels)

39th Whittlesey Straw Bear. Photo: Ian Carter (Image: Garry Samuels)

39th Whittlesey Straw Bear. Photo: Ian Carter (Image: Garry Samuels)

39th Whittlesey Straw Bear. Photo: Ian Carter (Image: Garry Samuels)

39th Whittlesey Straw Bear. Photo: Ian Carter (Image: Garry Samuels)

39th Whittlesey Straw Bear. Photo: Ian Carter (Image: Garry Samuels)

39th Whittlesey Straw Bear. Photo: Ian Carter (Image: Garry Samuels)

39th Whittlesey Straw Bear. Photo: Ian Carter (Image: Garry Samuels)

39th Whittlesey Straw Bear. Photo: Ian Carter (Image: Garry Samuels)

39th Whittlesey Straw Bear. Photo: Ian Carter (Image: Garry Samuels)

39th Whittlesey Straw Bear. Photo: Ian Carter (Image: Garry Samuels)

39th Whittlesey Straw Bear. Photo: Ian Carter (Image: Garry Samuels)

39th Whittlesey Straw Bear. Photo: Ian Carter (Image: Garry Samuels)

39th Whittlesey Straw Bear. Photo: Ian Carter (Image: Garry Samuels)

39th Whittlesey Straw Bear. Photo: Ian Carter (Image: Garry Samuels)

39th Whittlesey Straw Bear. Photo: Ian Carter (Image: Garry Samuels)

39th Whittlesey Straw Bear. Photo: Ian Carter (Image: Garry Samuels)

39th Whittlesey Straw Bear. Photo: Ian Carter (Image: Garry Samuels)

39th Whittlesey Straw Bear. Photo: Ian Carter (Image: Garry Samuels)

39th Whittlesey Straw Bear. Photo: Ian Carter (Image: Garry Samuels)

39th Whittlesey Straw Bear. Photo: Ian Carter (Image: Garry Samuels)

39th Whittlesey Straw Bear. Photo: Ian Carter (Image: Garry Samuels)

39th Whittlesey Straw Bear. Photo: Ian Carter (Image: Garry Samuels)

39th Whittlesey Straw Bear. Photo: Ian Carter (Image: Garry Samuels)

39th Whittlesey Straw Bear. Photo: Ian Carter (Image: Garry Samuels)

39th Whittlesey Straw Bear. Photo: Ian Carter (Image: Garry Samuels)

39th Whittlesey Straw Bear. Photo: Ian Carter (Image: Garry Samuels)

39th Whittlesey Straw Bear. Photo: Ian Carter (Image: Garry Samuels)