Thousands lined town centre streets on Bank Holiday Monday (May 6) as Ilkley Carnival lived up to promises to make this year’s event bigger and brighter.

High temperatures and sunny weather brought in many daytrippers from Wharfedale and further afield to watch the parade make its way from the town centre to the main carnival showground on East Holmes Field, by the River Wharfe.

The parade set off from The Grove at 11.30am and passed down Brook Street, lined with crowds on both sides, to Denton Road and the carnival field.

The theme chosen by popular vote for the parade this year was British History.

Schools, pre-schools, youth groups and other participants in the parade used their imagination to come up with colourful walking displays and floats.

The Great Fire of London and British Inventions were depicted by children from local schools VIPs including the Lord and Lady Mayoress of Bradford, and chairman of Ilkley Parish Council, took part in the parade.

Ashlands Primary School, of Ilkley, won the prize for best parade entry, with its walking display showing Ilkley Past and Present – from the legendary giant Rombalds to next year’s Tour de France visit. The awards for the parade entries were handed out in the arena on the showground.

Attractions on the field included gymnastic displays on horseback from Galloping Acrobatics – whose horses also danced and performed tricks.

Visitors to the carnival field also got a closer look at owls and other birds of prey, took the chance to learn more about the soldiers of the English Civil War, visiting an encampment set up by the English Civil War Society, and learned about medieval food, crafts and weapons with Wars of the Roses re-enactment society The Clarence Household.

A funfair was set up on East Holmes Field, and many local organisations, charities and businesses set up their own stalls and activities.

Youngsters enjoyed inflatable slides, mini motorbikes, an old-style Punch and Judy show, and were able to take part in quieter activities at a children’s craft tent.

Despite offering bigger attractions on the carnival field this year, organisers followed the tradition of recent years by keeping entry prices to the showground low.

Half of the profits from this year’s carnival, from ticket sales and donations to a team of collectors, will go to Ilkley and District Good Neighbours.