The Chatteris Midsummer Festival returned in full swing this year and is filled with highlights after COVID-19 cancelled festivals in 2020 and restricted celebrations in 2021.

As with every year, the festival had a theme and this year's theme was Fairy Tales and Folklore.

Cambs Times: The children of Glebelands Primary School marching in the parade in Shrek: The Movie costumesThe children of Glebelands Primary School marching in the parade in Shrek: The Movie costumes (Image: AitchPhotographyChatteris)

The theme was evident from the beginning of the festival with the parade on Saturday - which kicks off the weekend’s events every year - and everyone dressed for the occasion.

Cambs Times: The Royall British Legion Youth marching in the parade in fairy themed costumesThe Royall British Legion Youth marching in the parade in fairy themed costumes (Image: Archant)

Glebelands Primary School joined the parade dressed as the fairy tale characters from Shrek, the Royal British Legion Youth, inspired by the story of the Cottingley fairies, dressed up as fairies and Cromwell Community College brought along some of their newest young students who dressed up as elves, fairies and princesses, among many other people who came to the parade in fancy dress.

Cambs Times: Cromwell Community College marching in the parade dressed as elves, princesses and fairiesCromwell Community College marching in the parade dressed as elves, princesses and fairies (Image: Archant)

The parade reached Furrowfields and the day's programme kicked off, beginning with a fancy dress competition.

Cambs Times: The winners of the fancy dress competitionThe winners of the fancy dress competition (Image: AitchPhotographyChatteris)

More themed events followed, including story teller Mike Dodsworth, who told old fairy and folk tales for children, and the crown and dragon mask making workshop that provided children with materials to make fun masks for the event.

Cambs Times: Story teller Mike Dodsworth entertaining at the midsummer festival with classic folktalesStory teller Mike Dodsworth entertaining at the midsummer festival with classic folktales (Image: AitchPhotographyChatteris)

These preceded two performances of the dog and duck show, a country wide show that entertains crowds with sheepdogs herding a flock of ducks. The show also educated the crowds about dog behaviour issues and how to fix them.

Cambs Times: A sheep dog herding ducks at the dog and duck showA sheep dog herding ducks at the dog and duck show (Image: AitchPhotographyChatteris)

The Ely and Littleport Riot Border Morris Dancers made an appearance and performed their traditional dance through the parade and on the festival's main stage.

Cambs Times: Morris dancers performing on the main stage at the Midsummer FestivalMorris dancers performing on the main stage at the Midsummer Festival (Image: AitchPhotographyChatteris)

Saturday's highlights finished with the end of the night performance from ska band Scooted and Booted.

Cambs Times: Scooted and Booted ending Saturday night of the Midsummer Festival on the main stageScooted and Booted ending Saturday night of the Midsummer Festival on the main stage (Image: AitchPhotographyChatteris)

Sunday continued the festivities with the dog show, shanties from Isle ‘ave a Shanty and the yearly spectacle of the colour fun run.

Children, families and people looking for some fun all took part in the run around the park , while they were bombarded with coloured powder paint.

Cambs Times: A family after finishing the colour fun run at the Midsummer FestivalA family after finishing the colour fun run at the Midsummer Festival (Image: Archant)

Cambs Times: A girl running through a cloud of powder paint in the colour fun run at the Midsummer FestivalA girl running through a cloud of powder paint in the colour fun run at the Midsummer Festival (Image: HARRY GOODMAN)

Cambs Times: A mother and daughter crossing the finish line of the colour fun run at the Midsummer FestivalA mother and daughter crossing the finish line of the colour fun run at the Midsummer Festival (Image: HARRY GOODMAN)

Cambs Times: Cadets from the Chatteris branch running the colour fun run at the Midsummer FestivalCadets from the Chatteris branch running the colour fun run at the Midsummer Festival (Image: HARRY GOODMAN)