FESTIVAL fever gripped March over the weekend when thousands of people enjoyed the town’s 10th annual summer festival.

Musical entertainment, a gala and carnival all added up to a great family event which was well supported by all age groups.

Fears that the start of the World Cup, and in particular England’s first game on Saturday evening, would cut numbers attending the Pop in the Park event proved unfounded.

One of the organisers, Maureen James said: “The audience were left on such a high that many didn’t want to go home.”

The weekend started with Rock in the Park on Friday during which the bands: The Polymers, Andistasis and The Stanza, and soloists Jana Metcalf and Oli Griffin, performed before record crowds of around 500.

A car boot sale organised by March and Chatteris Lions in West End Park kicked off Saturday’s events before the gala parade.

People lined the streets to see the parade which had been organised for the first time by Reg Kemp and had a circus theme.

The parade was headed by the Gala Princess Georgia Biggs and her attendant Lauren Jackson, followed by the mayor Councillor Andrew Pugh, Ely Samba Band, and many local organisations.

In the park crowds enjoyed buying things from the many stalls and watching a variety of entertainment including a Zumba display, Lisa Dickinson’s Dance Mania and Sarah’s Street Style Dancers.

There were presentations of trophies to the winners of the best decorated float, Young People March, and the fancy dress competition.

After the gala thousands of people stayed on to watch performances by Surviving Sunday, Aimee Peart-Webb, The Brink and The Hoodwinks as well as popular local bands Loose Baby Charlotte and Krak’n.

On Sunday entertainment started with March Brass 2000 followed by 20 Dead Mosquitoes, Katie Terry, Beatroot Ceilidh Band, Bondy and finally Stealer which rounded off the afternoon in great style with a tribute to rock band ‘Free’.

Lucy Collins, the winner of Fenland Has (Musical) Talent, also performed.

There was also lots to keep youngsters amused with Adrian Ley of Feet First Entertainment who showed off an array of circus skills, storyteller Helen Frances and a colouring competition organised by Penny Hicks.

The weekend ended with a concert by the GUS Virtuosi Band which included in its programme a tribute to the late Peter Hewitt.

During the interval festival chairman Marcus Phillips thanked MC John Whitehead, performers, the festival committee and other volunteers, local businesses, the Lions and stallholders, and all those who had taken part in the parade.

• TO SEE MANY MORE PHOTOS OF MARCH FESTIVAL GO TO: www.charlesdavidphotography.co.uk which kindly provided the photos for this website.