Thousands attend new Wellington street festival - in photos
Thousands of revellers descended on the first People of Wellington street show, which was today hailed a great success by the organisers.
Residents flocked to the market square to soak the cultural street festival featuring music, food, funfair rides and a fireworks and drumming finale.
The event was put together by a group of residents, community leaders and businesses with the aim of celebrating the area's ethnic diversity in a show of unity. Food, arts and music were the order of the day at the all age show featuring a mini food festival and an artisan market for entrepreneurs to promote their goods.
Eddie Lowe, of the organising group, says: "It was absolutely fantastic and the town was full of people. Among the highlights were the drummers who performed right at the end. It was incredible and I've never seen anything like it.
"I would say there were a couple of thousand of people coming in to the town and they loved it. They have been already asking what performers are coming next year. There was no trouble at all. Everybody was enjoying themselves. There were also some great bands performing on the stages.
"It's been a lot of hard work to organise and we will need more people to come on board next time as many hands make light work."
The festival was officially opened by the new Mayor of Wellington, Councillor Denis Allen.
Outher attractions included games, a hog roast, Asian and Caribbean food stalls, and an assault course, with performances, in Tan Bank, and in the grounds of All Saints Church, in Church Street, which was closed to traffic for the event on June 24.
Sherell Fikeis, of the organising group, says: "A number of people have worked extremely hard to put on this community festival despite setbacks."
Up to eight banners worth £1,500 advertising the multi-cultural street show that were cut down ahead of the were put back up just in time for the festivities.
