St Neots Festival parade sets high benchmark for years to come

Read about the festival parade through the eyes of the parade organiser, Brian Moore.

At 10am, one hour before parade time, a handful of groups slowly turned up.

Then come 10.30, from out of nowhere came hundreds of children and adults in all manner of costumes and all ready for a party.

Members of DSM Dance with Lynne during the parade. (Image: Chris Casey)

At 11am, I blew the horn to get them into position.

Hidden behind the hedged fence of Longsands school, the 1000-plus people that had gathered to watch had no idea what was in store.

Hundreds gathered to watch the parade. (Image: Brian Moore)

The parade began at 11.10am with the handing over of the three festival flags to the May Day Princesses by Bert the dog and his owner Paul who had brought the flags from the main stage.

Bert and his dog with the flags ready to give to the May Day Princesses. (Image: Brian Moore)

Once the three flags were handed over, it was time to start the parade. What a spectacle it was as the groups began to emerge from behind the gates.

It was not long before the 32 groups of just under 800 participants walked the 1.3km path towards the festival arena.

Brian Moore with the May Day Princesses who led the parade. (Image: Brian Moore)

As the parade entered the arena, the princesses were escorted onto the stage, where they waved the festival flags.

They were followed by the collaboration choir, who were going to be the opening act at midday.

The Collaboration Choir were led onto stage after the parade to open the festival. (Image: Chris Casey)

The rest of the groups paraded through a 50ft path made up of wonderful handmade bunting produced by the 1st St Neots Scouts group.

Hundreds of onlookers watched as I announced each group in turn as they paraded through the arena before finishing.

READ MORE: Thousands turn out to support first-ever St Neots Festival

The climax to the parade was the Peppercorns Samba Drum Band, who gave the parade the perfect ending to what was an amazing showcase of talent and community togetherness.

Samba at the parade. (Image: Chris Casey)

This first year was always a test. Could we bring a parade off the street and into a park and, in doing so, save tens of thousands of pounds?

READ MORE: Plans to reignite 'carnival spirit' with St Neots Festival Parade

The answer to that was a definite yes, with the parade groups setting a really high benchmark for the next one, next year.

Access in St Neots at the parade. (Image: Chris Casey)

After the parade, many of the groups then went on to perform on stage or in one of the many zones around the festival site.

Whether you chose to get involved in the 150 different activities or simply sit back and listen to the wide variety of music, it was the perfect setting in the wonderful grounds of the wonderful Priory Park.

Ribbon dancing was on show at the parade. (Image: Chris Casey)

The St Neots Sentinel Majorettes. (Image: Chris Casey)