Rain failed to dampen the fun at the 16th annual March Summer Festival at the weekend.

Rain failed to dampen the fun at the 16th annual March Summer Festival at the weekend.

Thousands packed the town centre on Saturday for the carnival parade which included the vintage and classic car procession, which this year attracted over 40 entries.

The three day festival kicked off on Friday night with Rock in the Park and culminated with the more mellow sounds of Fenland Youth Swing Band to close the weekend on Sunday night.

Theme for the carnival parade was the Magna Carta and British historical characters and saw a number of floats take up the gauntlet to compete for the best float and hoards of people joining the walking parade.

However missing from the parade was the entry by the town’s Tesco store, which was controversially pulled at the last minute, by the management.

The free event, which was compered by the incomparable John Whitehead, and included face painting, a colouring competition, the annual Lions Gala with an array of stalls, dancing from Lisa Dickinson’s Dance Mania, a demonstration by March Bears rugby club, circus skills by Adrian Ley and music from Frivolity and Lee Enstone.

The carnival Princess and her attendant joined the parade in a horse drawn carriage while Miss Cambridgeshire also had a place of honour in an open top car.

Saturday night was Pop in the Park and included performances from Scooted and Booted and Aladdinsane - a David Bowie tribute band.

Hundreds of people enjoyed a bit of al fresco dining for picnic in the park on Sunday which also included entertainment from MADAOS and Chatteris Town Band.