FAMILIES rolled up to Holmfirth to see an annual festival launched in style.
The opening weekend of the town’s Arts Festival started with all the fun of a circus.
The exotic and vibrant parade got people in the party spirit as it wound its way through the centre of Holmfirth.
The Creature Carnival featured a parade of floats and puppets.
In the run-up to Saturday’s event, local people attended free workshops to create hundreds of animal masks and costumes.
They included striking tigers, giraffes and birds.
Artists Chloe Williams and Liz Walker and members of Hand Made Parade from Hebden Bridge, made series of giant puppets for the parade.
They included a heron, a jackdaw and a many headed hydra.
The colourful spectacle started at the Elephant and Castle in Hollowgate and travelled along Station Road and down Bridge Lane.
The parade then turned off for Sands Recreation Ground where the party continued.
Those who were unable to take part in the workshops prior to the parade were till able to join in the fun.
A workshop was organised to create a samba band from scratch just in time to join in with the carnival.
Festival director Fiona Goh said: “We’ve been pretty overwhelmed by the number of people wanting to join in our parade.
“It’s been a great way of bringing the community together.”
The festival, which brings music, poetry, theatre, comedy and art to the valley, runs until Sunday (June 26)
For more information visit www.holmfirthartsfestival.co.uk .
