DESPITE competing with the England World Cup match, thousands turned out in the scorching heat for a carnival.
A sweltering Bacup and Stacksteads Carnival brought the crowds out to Moorlands Park, Bacup, for the 99th annual celebration and packed procession.
The procession of walking parades, which took place moments after England kicked off their match against Panama, and two floats attracted four schools, Dansworks Dance Academy, Limitless Cheerleaders and a new group the Valley Hoopers.
On the park the stage was kept busy with a variety of acts from dancers to cheerleaders and dancing Gangnam Gran Dorothy Salt.
Chairman of Bacup and Stacksteads Carnival Organisation BASCO Catherine Smyth said: “When we realised the football clash we feared a 1pm exodus, which would have been just after the parade arrived, however we were delighted that the people attending decided instead to stay and enjoy everything that the carnival had to offer.”
Next year’s event, on June 30, will mark the centenary since the carnival started in 1919, which was a peace parade.
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