What better way to celebrate a Caribbean carnival than with a bit of Caribbean weather?
And the 29th annual Huddersfield Carnival on Saturday was blessed with non-stop sunshine.
The event, which celebrates the best of African-Caribbean arts and culture, began at the Hudawi Centre at 1pm.
Thousands of spectators lined the streets to watch the Mas Band Parade as it made its way through Huddersfield town centre. Some had travelled from as far as London to join in the fun.
The parade comprised several floats carrying massive – and deafening – sound systems, DJs and MCs.
The floats were followed by dancers from Huddersfield, as well as some from Leeds, Preston and London, who dazzled in their spectacularly colourful costumes.
The parade was followed by a huge party in Greenhead Park which included more dance displays, music and traditional Caribbean food.
The previous three parties had taken place in Huddersfield town centre, but this year’s event made a welcome return to the park.
This year’s carnival included the return of a midnight J’ouvert for a fifth year.
J’ouvert (a contraction of the French ‘jour overt’, meaning daybreak) is an old African-Caribbean tradition where participants – sometimes covered in paint, chocolate, mud or white powder – dance through the streets from midnight until sunrise.
Watching the parade were carnival regulars Kirsty Bywater and Elise Belafonte, of Dalton and Kirsty’s cousin, Lisa Wedge, from Holmfirth.
Lisa said: “It was good. There was certainly a lot of work put into it.
“The weather was lousy last year but this year it was much better.
“The carnival never arrives on time but it’s always worth waiting for.”
Michael and Mutsa Boddison, of Brackenhall, also enjoyed the parade but felt it could have been longer.
Mr Boddison said: “It was maybe a bit shorter than usual but the costumes were good.
“We’ve been lots of times before and with the weather I think they picked a good day for it.”
Next year’s carnival – the 30th anniversary – is expected to include a Carnival Royale Show where contestants compete for the carnival crown and the right to lead the parade.