The Illuminate Festival sprang into life at the weekend - could you see Harwich lit up from Shotley and Felixstowe?

East Anglian Daily Times: The streets of the Historic Harwich town were lit with incredible optical illusions Picture: WILL LODGEThe streets of the Historic Harwich town were lit with incredible optical illusions Picture: WILL LODGE (Image: WILL LODGE)

Pulling in an estimated 2,500 people to the Essex port town, the annual festival has become an flagship event for Harwich.

East Anglian Daily Times: The annual Illuminate festival was used to launch a year of festivities called Mayflower 400, recognising the first voage to the New World in 1620 Picture: WILL LODGEThe annual Illuminate festival was used to launch a year of festivities called Mayflower 400, recognising the first voage to the New World in 1620 Picture: WILL LODGE (Image: WILL LODGE)

This year's festival coincided with the launch of the nationwide Mayflower 400 celebrations, which recognise the first voyage to the New World in 1620 aboard The Mayflower, captained by Harwich resident Christopher Jones.

East Anglian Daily Times: The town's crier also made an appearance in the Illuminate Festival parade Picture: WILL LODGEThe town's crier also made an appearance in the Illuminate Festival parade Picture: WILL LODGE (Image: WILL LODGE)

The Friday night was filled with light and noise as the parade marched towards the quayside, with circus performers and drumming troupes dazzling crowds.

East Anglian Daily Times: The Mayflower 400 events will be ongoing for all of 2020 Picture: WILL LODGEThe Mayflower 400 events will be ongoing for all of 2020 Picture: WILL LODGE (Image: WILL LODGE)

Captain Jones' historic home has been turned into a museum for the year of Mayflower 400, and is open to the public to learn all about the ship's maiden voyage and the captain's life.

East Anglian Daily Times: As well as illuminations, circus performers paraded through the town's streets to the delight of the crowds in Essex Picture: WILL LODGEAs well as illuminations, circus performers paraded through the town's streets to the delight of the crowds in Essex Picture: WILL LODGE (Image: WILL LODGE)

Historic Harwich has a strong link to The Mayflower as home to the ship, its master Captain Christopher Jones - whose house still stands in Kings Head Street - and some of its crew. For this reason Harwich is part of the Mayflower 400 Compact, an international group of destinations linked to the story.