Sunshine added extra sparkle to the 60th annual Manea gala at the weekend.

The event, which started with the traditional parade of floats, attracted huge crowds who lined the streets to watch the procession before moving on to enjoy the array of attractions at the playing field in Park Road.

Among the floats was one carrying this year’s gala queen Tia Wayman and her chief prince Charlie Martin, together with the other princesses and princes for 2015.

Members of Manea Baby and Toddler Group decorated their prams and buggies with a seaside theme to join the parade, which also included the village fire engine, a float carrying Manea Silver Band and an entry by Manea Allotment Association featuring the children’s favourite Bill and Ben the flowerpot men with their weed.

The field was filled with charity stalls, side shows and games including a stall run by village-based Team A-Mayesing, who were raising money in memory of Manea man Aaron Mayes who died in tragic circumstances last year.

Team A-Mayesing also organised a fun run ahead of the gala with dozens of entrants taking on a three mile course on Saturday morning to compete for a golden plimsoll. The race was officially won by Louis Fairfax with Hetty Cliss the first woman past the post.

A total of £835 was raised as a result of the run and stall.

Highlights of the gala’s main arena included two breath-taking displays by the Vander Brothers Wheel of Death, who made a welcome return to the gala after wowing audiences at a previous event.

Stunt cycle team 3Sixty also amazed the crowd with their skill bouncing their bikes onto narrow podiums and jumping a 50 inch high bar among their impressive repertoire.

Dozens of pooches and pedigrees lined up for the hotly contested annual dog show.

Stalls included willow weaving and a chance to win a pig. While refreshments stands included a goat curry stall, as well as the more traditional hotdogs.

The event ran on into the evening with a total of six bands playing live at the park.

Organisers were delighted with the event’s success and will be announcing shortly the amount raised for village causes, before starting planning next year’s gala.