VIDEO: "Let's make Rotherham Carnival an annual event"

Rotherham Carnival - billed as the People’s Parade - featured costumes, sculptures, bands and dancers from across the UK.

It was led by Maltby pensioner Ray Matthews (75), who completed his 75th marathon in as many days earlier this month.

People of all ages lined the pavements as the parade wound its way from Main Street, around the Minster Gardens and down High Street, before snaking towards the park.

Entertainment in the park included a gig on the bandstand, stalls and rides, including the world’s smallest disco.

Lead organiser Vicky Hilton, of Open Minds Theatre Company, said: “What a fantastic day and what a brilliant reaction from the people of Rotherham.

“I had hoped that lots of people would turn up to see the parade, but I couldn’t believe how many were there.

“When I came around the corner into the Minster Gardens and saw all of those people were waiting, I nearly cried.”

She added: “We would really like to make this an annual event and we have other ideas in the pipeline too.

“I’d just like to say thank you so much to everyone involved in the carnival and to everyone else for their support.”

To help make the carnival an annual event organisers have asked people for donations.

To put a few pounds in the virtual tip jar visit http://tinyurl.com/rotherhamcarnival or text CARN16 £ and an amount to 70070 (e.g. CARN16 £5).

See this week’s Rotherham Advertiser for a picture special and feature from the carnival.