CROWDS packed St Ives on Saturday to see the annual procession of floats for the town’s carnival.

The Hunts Post: St Ives Gala 2013, (l-r) Morgan and James from Wheatfields SchoolSt Ives Gala 2013, (l-r) Morgan and James from Wheatfields School (Image: Archant)

The event was moved from its home for 13 years at Warner’s Park to Hill Rise Park so the parade of 18 floats started in the town centre before moving to the top of St Ives.

Thorndown Primary School was chosen as the best float in the parade which included a samba band and St Ives firefighters in lederhosen performing traditional German dances.

The procession was led by town mayor Nick Dibben, carnival Queen Chelsey Wilson and princesses Sophie Mee and Honey Lyden.

Around 9,000 people visited the festival over the weekend with aerial act Above and Beyond, The Guitart School dancers, CIFA Majorettes, and Bootscooters providing the entertainment.

On Sunday, perennial favourites Matt Harvey and Jess Doherty, Jellyfish Band, Autumn MacDonald, Sledgehammer Band and Tom Copson performed at the music festival.