CLIMBING walls, face painting, comedy and kung fu provided family fun at a town’s Party in the Park celebration.

Skateboarding displays, live music and inflatable sumo wrestling were just some of the entertainment on offer at the annual event in Sudbury yesterday.

The sun shone as young and old flocked to the town’s Belle Vue Park to enjoy the free event, organised by Sudbury Town Council.

Sue Brotherwood, the Sudbury town clerk, said: “It has been a really great day.

“Belle Vue Park is a lovely venue and we want to promote it and provide a day where families can have fun without spending a fortune.”

Teenagers from the Boxford-based street dance group Dream Big Live Young (DBLY) provided a spectacular opening the to event, which also featured martial art displays from several clubs.

A bouncy castle, music drop-in sessions and free sports coaching also drew the crowds to the second Party in the Park, following on from the success of last year’s event.

“It was so successful last year, we decided to do it again,” Mrs Brotherwood said.

“The climbing wall has been tremendously popular and people seem to be thoroughly enjoying themselves.”

Emergency crews staged a dramatic reconstruction of a rescue from a car wreck in the park, while live performers provided lighter relief with comedy sketches and audience participation.

The Sudbury Cycle Club, Long Melford Scouts, Cornard Kings Basketball Club and the Eastern Academy Marching Band were some of the clubs and societies taking part in the show, to promote the town’s amenities.

“We have had some fantastic acts providing entertainment for the whole family,” Mrs Brotherwood said.

“A whole host of local organisations provided a taster of what they do, so people got the chance to perhaps try something they have never done before.”

jo.thewlis@eadt.co.uk