Thousands of people enjoyed family fun, stage shows and live music at Mansfield Summer Festival yesterday (Thursday 3 August).
The free, family-friendly Mansfield District Council summer holiday event, which is in its ninth year, featured an interactive comedy eco-theme adventure stage show starring Squirrel Walnutkins saving the planet.
There was also a live music set from the talented local singer, River Hopkins, and princesses Belle and Jasmine, giving a Disney hits performance, singalongs, and walkabout musical entertainment from the popular Top Tier Brass.
Many families made a whole day of it at the Green Flag award-winning Titchfield Park, taking a picnic and soaking up the sunshine on the day.
Elsewhere at the all-day festival, youngsters took part in circus skills workshops, arts and crafts, free arena activities, BMX and boxing sessions.
Also, crowds were treated to a surprise flash mob of opera singers who sang renditions of Delibes’s Lakmé’s Duo des Fleurs and Habanera from Bizet’s Carmen throughout the day in the performance area. The performance was a sneak peek of what is to come at the Opera Up Close show performing on 20 September at Mansfield Palace Theatre.
There were also stalls with a range of goods, including bath bombs, sweets, handmade items and toys, free face painting, and a variety of food vendors.
Executive Mayor Andy Abrahams said: "It was a fabulous event, enjoyed by all, which was blessed by glorious, warm sunshine.
“Thank you to every single person who came out to enjoy the day with us yesterday; it has been without a doubt the busiest Summer Festival to date and was fantastic to see so many people enjoying all the event had to offer.
“In these times of families being stretched by the high cost of living, we were pleased to be able to provide a bit of free fun and light relief for everyone.”