FAMILIES soaked up the sun during an action-packed day to remember at the annual Blacon Community Festival.
Thousands gathered for the event – the biggest and best to date in its near 18-year history – and witnessed an array of dance, drama, arts, sports, workshops and educational activities in celebration of Blacon.
Children from all five primary school's on the estate began the celebration with a colourful cycle parade, led by the Maka Sutu Drummers Samba Band, winding their way from the Arches Primary School in Saughall Road to the festival on the sports field at Blacon High School, with parents and teachers following.
The Sheriff of Chester, Blacon councillor Reggie Jones, opened the event followed by an opening song by 100 children, performances by Blacon Youth Theatre, the Silhouettes Dance Troupe, Blacon High Free Runners, music from Chester-based band the Identity and drumming workshops given by the Maka Sutu Band.
The event featured various crafts, woodcarving, facepainting, fairground rides, bouncy castles and a chance to Beat the Goalkeeper.
Meanwhile visitors were able to find out more about improvements and changes to the estate with information on the Parade re-development, Sustainable Blacon, together with health and wellbeing stalls.
People also had a chance to find out more about West Cheshire College and Learning Pathways, there was an army recruitment stall and safety demonstrations were given by Cheshire Fire and Rescue Service.