Young and old join the parade

The streets of Newark were alive to the sound of music as a New Orleans-style jazz parade made its way through the town in spectacular fashion on Sunday.

Around 250 people holding brightly coloured umbrellas joined the parade, and many more lined the streets to watch.

The Oriole Brass Band, of Nottingham, led the parade with Grand Marshal Rachael Pennell at the head.

The parade began in the grounds of Newark Castle.

After leaving the castle it looped around the Beastmarket Hill roundabout then moved along the riverside before rejoining Castlegate.

A procession more than 100m long danced through Kirkgate and Middlegate, where shoppers stopped to take in the colourful sights and sounds.

After winding its way around the Market Place it stopped temporarily on Bridge Street where the thirsty band were provided with refreshments from the Fox and Crown, before setting off again back to the castle.

The music continued at the castle bandstand where a large crowd was entertained by the Magnus Swing Band.

People of all ages, including many families, joined the fun of the parade and danced along to the beat of the band.

Mr and Mrs John Elvy of Nicholson’s Wharf, Newark, took their granddaughter, Grace Woodhouse (5).

Mr Elvy (74) said: “We joined in last year and wanted to do it again this year.

“It is a good event for families to get together. It is a great community thing to do.”

The couple helped their granddaughter to make a pink umbrella with flowers and shiny paper dangling from the top.

“We used anything that catches in the sunlight.” said Mrs Barbara Elvy (68).

“We didn’t have an umbrella last year but we enjoyed it so much that we made sure we brought one this year.”

Mr Andy Gore (40) of Smith Street, Balderton, and daughter Macy (5) were part of the parade.

Macy decorated a pink umbrella with musical notes.

“The parade is bringing something interesting to Newark,” said Mr Gore.

Mrs Imogen Sellars (37) of Bailey Road, Newark, had taken her daughters Freya (8) Sian (4) and Millie (2) who each had brightly coloured umbrellas.

“We made the umbrellas together at home,” said Mrs Sellars.

“Freya has started learning the cornet so it is good for her to see it being played and gives inspiration for her to keep it up,” she said.

Dozens of primary school children had decorated umbrellas given out by the festival organisers.

The best represented school was Lover’s Lane Primary School, Newark, which had 30 pupils, along with staff and parents, involved.

Pupils decorated their umbrellas with a swan theme to match their school logo.

A teacher at the school, Mrs Glenis Willis, said: “It has been a fantastic event. The children have really enjoyed it.”

A festival director, Mr Paul Sparks, said the parade was the high point of the festival.

“What has been great is that it has involved every single age group from babies to grandparents,” he said.