IT was galas galore at the weekend as the fun of the fair swept across towns and villages.
Spoilt for choice, thousands of people made their way down to Golcar Gala, Lindley Carnival, Upperthong village gala and Brighouse Charity Gala.
And organisers couldn’t have asked for better weather with temperatures hitting highs of 23°C.
Olympic skier Fiona Hughes officially opened Lindley Carnival on Saturday.
She said: “It was a good turn-out to say there was so many other festivals going on at the same time and it was nice to see so many people out and enjoying themselves.
“I saw a lot of people that I knew through going to school in Lindley and it was really good to see them after such a long time.
“There were a lot of families up there and Lindley Junior School choir sang which brought a lot of people out.”
Meanwhile, in the hillsides above the Colne Valley, crowds at Golcar gala were watching star motorcycle stuntman Jez Avery performing jumps, tricks and leaps on his bike.
Richard Jackson, chairman of Golcar Gala, said: “We’ve been celebrating Armed Forces Day with a gun run which the Spen Valley Scouts, Huddersfield Air Cadets and Parkwood Scouts have been doing.
“We’ve got over 30 local stalls and great entertainment and we’re raising money for the West Yorkshire Forget Me Not Trust.”
Over in the Holme Valley Upperthong village gala saw three fun-packed days of entertainment.
Gala chairwoman Helen Wilson said: “It has been absolutely fantastic and of course the great weather has made a big difference.
“There have been too many years when it has been chucking it down with rain and I’ve had to go home to change out of my clothes, but today I’m in a T-shirt, I can’t believe it.”
In Upperthong Village Hall on Friday night live band Helter Skelter played for the crowds with hits from the 60s right through to the present day.
Later mobile DJ and gala chairman Gary Wilson hit the decks for a disco.
During the weekend the village ran a Gala Queen contest and Mr Upperthong contest as well as a welly wanging competition.
In Brighouse, Gala queen Jasmin Smith officially opened the gala at Wellhome Park.
Local councillor Howard Blagbrough said: “It was nice to see people sitting in Wellhouse Park with picnics and making a full day of it.
“My little nephew was in the parade and I’ve grown up with the gala so it’s a really important event for Brighouse.
“It’s nice to see the community coming together and it makes it even better when it’s nice weather.”
Entertainment included singer Sarah Taylforth, Eclipse New Orleans Parade Band, Age of Radio featuring St Chad’s CE Primary School and Clifton singer Rachel Crisp.
Brighouse Rangers, Brighouse Star Twirlers, Cheervision Cheerleaders, Diamond Gymnastics Club and Rastrick Crickettes majorette troupe also wowed the crowds.
