WIMBORNE residents and visitors flocked to the town for the annual folk festival parade on Saturday after it returned to the streets of the historic market town for the first time since Covid.
Wimborne Minster Folk Festival, now in its 40th year, featured hundreds of folk dancers in many groups taking to the streets and performing as the sun shone down.
The streets lit up in colour and noise as the performers from across the globe took part in the street parade – as huge crowds gathered to watch various acts take place in the streets.
The showstopper parade took place at 2.30pm in the afternoon, with a mass of delighted residents standing alongside the roads filming and soaking up the weird and wacky dances from the world of English folk
Polly Morris, music coordinator for the festival, said: “We did an online festival last year which went well but it’s not the same.
“It’s a real joy to be here and see people meeting up and connecting with each other. It’s great to see all the smiling faces – it's all been brilliant!
“Everywhere you look there are people in tatted costumes and colour and there are so many smiling faces.”
Polly added: “It’s great for Wimborne – the people of the town enjoy it. It brings people back every year as they remember the coffee stands or the pubs.”
Several trade stands of local businesses were also lining the streets, selling memorabilia, food and drink.
Roger Tuck, 75, said: “It may have been gone for a few years what with the pandemic, but it is such a fabulous day.
“It’s such a friendly event.
“I’ve been out here fairly early and I'm having a fantastic time. You can meet people and have a lovely chat. I was speaking to some people from Bulgaria earlier on.”
The day saw maypole dancing, art, comedy and headline acts such as Lucy May Walker, Vicky Swan and Jonny Dyer. The Polly Morris Band also performed live.
Ulla, along with her husband David, enjoyed the parade along the street, saying: “It’s always a huge success here at the festival. We love it.”
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