IT MIGHT have drizzled but the town centre sparkled with festive fun thanks to the Lions annual winter carnival.
The fundraising event took over Wokingham on Sunday, with stalls set up on Elms Field, Peach Street, Denmark Street, Erftstadt Court, Market Place, Peach Place and Broad Street.
The event, one of the largest street fairs in the southeast, was packed as thousands turned out to enjoy the day.
A main stage was erected outside the town hall for performances from, among others, Berkshire Maestros, Bracknell Senior String Orchestra, Sebastian Wokingham Brass Band and the Wokingham Singers.
Throughout the town were street entertainment including jugglers, stilt walkers and Musical Ruth. Star Wars characters wandered round posing for selfies, and there were morris dancing performances from Customs & Exiles, Fools Gambit, OBJ, and Taeppas Tump.
A group of Bulgarian Folk dancers and the Reading Scottish Pipe Band also entertained.
Many groups, including Scout Troops, PTAs and soccer clubs, organised stalls. Activities included cake sales, chocolate tombolas, mystery books, and mulled wine and a mince pie.
Charities also offered information about their work, as well as raising funds.
Add in a fun fair, food and drink stalls, visits from breweries including Bond Brews, Siren, and Elusive Brewing, and it was a packed event.
It culminated, as ever, with carol singing, the official switching on of the Christmas lights, and a laser light show.
Introducing the day, Lyn Baily, the president of Wokingham Lions Club, said: “I hope you’re going to have a fun-filled day and support all the organisations and stalls that are here for you to enjoy.”
And Wokingham Town Mayor Cllr Sally Gurney said: “There is something for everybody to install the Christmas spirit.”
More photos will be in our picture special in Thursday’s Wokingham Today, on sale in all good newsagents, supermarkets and petrol stations across the borough
