A relaunched bank holiday highlight has proved a hit with the crowds – after hundreds turned out for three days of fun in the Suffolk sun.
The new-look Framlingham Gala Fest sought to create a more inclusive event by making many attractions free to attend – and offering a wider selection of musical entertainment.
Tim Scotchmer, chairman of Framlingham Sports Club’s Gala Committee, who proposed the changes, said he was “very pleased” with the result.
“The turn out has been great and the weather has been very kind to us,” he added.
“There are people singing, dancing and having a great time – and it’s going to continue into the evening.”
Mr Scotchmer said he decided to re-launch the gala after dwindling visitor numbers at recent events.
“I’ve been part of Framlingham all my life, my father was a founding member of the sports club and I got the chairmanship of the gala committee a couple of years ago,” he added.
“After last year’s gala I thought, it’s not working, something’s not right.
“We had all these big green spaces laying empty when people should have been enjoying themselves.
“So I put a plan together stuck my head above the parapet and got on with it.
“This year we’ve changed the format, put more music on and made it free entry to the meadow – and the vibe’s been great throughout.
“We’ve had so much support from business in the local area – they’ve been marvellous and we couldn’t have done it without them.”
The event kicked off on Saturday with a duathlon entered by 37 teams of three – including one whose combined age was 170 years.
During the afternoon and into the evening, local bands played before crowds of up to 400 people at Castle Meadow, where there were also stalls, rides and attractions.
The musical entertainment continued into Sunday with acoustic acts performing beside the pond, which is next to the Castle Inn pub. Other attractions on Saturday included a craft fair at St Michael’s Church Rooms.
Today’s gala parade, which is always a focus of the event on its final day, had a “flower power” theme.
Mr Scotchmer said it created a “noisy, bright and colourful” atmosphere – and bumper crowds as well as entrants.
He hopes to build upon the success of the relaunched event as part of a “three year plan” for the gala, which is the sports club’s biggest fundraiser for the year.
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