The Lord Mayors Procession 2018Byline: Sonya DuncanCopyright: Archant 2018 (Image: Archant 2017)
Snaking its way through the centre of Norwich, the city's annual extravaganza has been no less sparkling and fun than the many years that proceeded it.
The Lord Mayor himself, Martin Schmierer, led the Circus 250-themed procession from St Stephens Road to Palace Street.
Of course, the football results only helped get the party underway, with large quantities of England flags to be found among both paraders and spectators.
Thousands of spectators lined the streets from around 5.30 onwards to enjoy proceedings, which began with The Lord Mayor's 5K Road Race, from Westlegate to St Stephens Street.
The respective men and women's winners of these were Adam Visokay, from Seattle, who ran in 14m21, and Hevingham-based athlete Iona Lake, who recently returned from the Commonwealth Games in Australia.
Miss Lake, of City of Norwich Athletics Club, ran in 16m33.
The Lord Mayor's Procession was won by Catton Grove Primary School, with Framtastics Gymnastics Club in second and Angel Road Federation of Schools in third place.
The runners up were: Funky Fusion Dance, Norwich School of Dance, and Chermond Gymnastics Club.
Four adult elephants and one baby elephant puppet returned for another evening after their tour of the centre last night.
The Lord Mayors Procession 2018Byline: Sonya DuncanCopyright: Archant 2018 (Image: Archant 2017)
The puppets, commissioned by Norwich City Council for this weekend, are a result of a collaboration of puppet professionals from Norfolk and around England.
Also in the parade were an abundance of community groups and societies, all wearing their best circus-themed matching outfits.
Penny Harris, leader of the First Harling Scout Group, said: 'We have got about 60 young people as lions and a dozen adults as lion tamers.
The Lord Mayors Procession 2018Byline: Sonya DuncanCopyright: Archant 2018 (Image: Archant 2017)
'It's great publicity for the scouts because it shows that we have lots of fun, and it's a really good experience for the young people to have, it really broadens their horizons.'
Also in attendance was the Norfolk Broads Chapter of The Red Hat Society, an international social organisation of women over 50 for 'fun and friendship' who always wear purple outfits and red hats.
One member, who went by her Red Hat name Bacchus Belle, said: 'We are in the parade every year and we do enjoy a social occasion.
The Lord Mayors Procession 2018Byline: Sonya DuncanCopyright: Archant 2018 (Image: Archant 2017)
'We're tired but it was brilliant. Good turn out though.'
Before The Lord Mayor's Procession got underway, The Lord Mayor's Celebration is dominated the city centre.
Chapelfield Gardens hosted a fun fair, complete with a ferris wheel and merry-go-round, as well as live music throughout the afternoon.
Lining Theatre Street were street food stalls, and further down outside Chapelfield shopping centre are a number of children's activities, including giant bubble blowing, balloon animals, and a pirate ship.
At The Forum, bands played music to dance to, with many people showing off their moves to swing, jazz and disco.
Sachalene Rankin, 32, of Norwich, said: 'This is my first time here, we just stumbled upon it.
The Lord Mayors Procession 2018Byline: Sonya DuncanCopyright: Archant 2018 (Image: Archant 2017)
'It's awesome, especially if you have kids.
'Everyone loves a good street party.'
Four-year-old Rosie Bannister got stuck into the Celebration by getting her face painted as a dog.
Chapelfield Gardens at The Lord Mayor's Celebration. PHOTO: Sophie Smith (Image: Archant)
She said: 'I had my face painted and I was made a funny hat. My favourite was the face painting because they did whatever paint a kid wanted.'
For those partying later into the night, street performance acts are around the city centre all evening, and fireworks kicked off at 10.30pm in front of City Hall.
Our coverage is sponsored by First Eastern Counties.
The Lord Mayors Procession 2018Byline: Sonya DuncanCopyright: Archant 2018 (Image: Archant 2017)
The Lord Mayors Procession 2018Byline: Sonya DuncanCopyright: Archant 2018 (Image: Archant 2017)
The Lord Mayors Procession 2018Byline: Sonya DuncanCopyright: Archant 2018 (Image: Archant 2017)
Lord Mayors celebrations get underwayByline: Sonya DuncanCopyright: Archant 2018 (Image: Archant 2017)
Lord Mayors celebrations get underwayByline: Sonya DuncanCopyright: Archant 2018 (Image: Archant 2017)
The Lord Mayors Procession 2018Byline: Sonya DuncanCopyright: Archant 2018 (Image: Archant 2017)
The Lord Mayors Procession 2018Byline: Sonya DuncanCopyright: Archant 2018 (Image: Archant 2017)
The Lord Mayors Procession 2018Byline: Sonya DuncanCopyright: Archant 2018 (Image: Archant 2017)
Lord Mayors celebrations get underwayByline: Sonya DuncanCopyright: Archant 2018 (Image: Archant 2017)
The Lord Mayors Procession 2018Byline: Sonya DuncanCopyright: Archant 2018 (Image: Archant 2017)
The Lord Mayors Procession 2018Byline: Sonya DuncanCopyright: Archant 2018 (Image: Archant 2017)
The Lord Mayors Procession 2018Byline: Sonya DuncanCopyright: Archant 2018 (Image: Archant 2017)
Crowds at The Forum Stage at The Lord Mayor's Celebration. PHOTO: Sophie Smith (Image: Archant)
The Lord Mayors Procession 2018Byline: Sonya DuncanCopyright: Archant 2018 (Image: Archant 2017)
The Lord Mayors Procession 2018Byline: Sonya DuncanCopyright: Archant 2018 (Image: Archant 2017)
The Lord Mayors Procession 2018Byline: Sonya DuncanCopyright: Archant 2018 (Image: Archant 2017)
The Lord Mayors Procession 2018Byline: Sonya DuncanCopyright: Archant 2018 (Image: Archant 2017)
People dancing at the The Forum Stage at The Lord Mayor's Celebrations. PHOTO: Sophie Smith (Image: Archant)
The Lord Mayors Procession 2018Byline: Sonya DuncanCopyright: Archant 2018 (Image: Archant 2017)
The Lord Mayors Procession 2018Byline: Sonya DuncanCopyright: Archant 2018 (Image: Archant 2017)
The Lord Mayors Procession 2018Byline: Sonya DuncanCopyright: Archant 2018 (Image: Archant 2017)
The Lord Mayors Procession 2018Byline: Sonya DuncanCopyright: Archant 2018 (Image: Archant 2017)
The Lord Mayors Procession 2018Byline: Sonya DuncanCopyright: Archant 2018 (Image: Archant 2017)
The Lord Mayors Procession 2018Byline: Sonya DuncanCopyright: Archant 2018 (Image: Archant 2017)
The Lord Mayors Procession 2018Byline: Sonya DuncanCopyright: Archant 2018 (Image: Archant 2017)
The Lord Mayors Procession 2018Byline: Sonya DuncanCopyright: Archant 2018 (Image: Archant 2017)
Rosie Bannister enjoys The Lord Mayor's Celebration. PHOTO: Sophie Smith (Image: Archant)
The Lord Mayors Procession 2018Byline: Sonya DuncanCopyright: Archant 2018 (Image: Archant 2017)
The Lord Mayors Procession 2018Byline: Sonya DuncanCopyright: Archant 2018 (Image: Archant 2017)
The Lord Mayors Procession 2018Byline: Sonya DuncanCopyright: Archant 2018 (Image: Archant 2017)
The Lord Mayors Procession 2018Byline: Sonya DuncanCopyright: Archant 2018 (Image: Archant 2017)
The Lord Mayors Procession 2018Byline: Sonya DuncanCopyright: Archant 2018 (Image: Archant 2017)
The Lord Mayors Procession 2018Byline: Sonya DuncanCopyright: Archant 2018 (Image: Archant 2017)
The Lord Mayors Procession 2018Byline: Sonya DuncanCopyright: Archant 2018 (Image: Archant 2017)
The Lord Mayors Procession 2018Byline: Sonya DuncanCopyright: Archant 2018 (Image: Archant 2017)
The Lord Mayors Procession 2018Byline: Sonya DuncanCopyright: Archant 2018 (Image: Archant 2017)
Lord Mayors celebrations get underwayByline: Sonya DuncanCopyright: Archant 2018 (Image: Archant 2017)
The Lord Mayors Procession 2018Byline: Sonya DuncanCopyright: Archant 2018 (Image: Archant 2017)
The Lord Mayors Procession 2018Byline: Sonya DuncanCopyright: Archant 2018 (Image: Archant 2017)
The Lord Mayors Procession 2018Byline: Sonya DuncanCopyright: Archant 2018 (Image: Archant 2017)
The Lord Mayors Procession 2018Byline: Sonya DuncanCopyright: Archant 2018 (Image: Archant 2017)
The Lord Mayors Procession 2018Byline: Sonya DuncanCopyright: Archant 2018 (Image: Archant 2017)
The Lord Mayors Procession 2018Byline: Sonya DuncanCopyright: Archant 2018 (Image: Archant 2017)
The Lord Mayors Procession 2018Byline: Sonya DuncanCopyright: Archant 2018 (Image: Archant 2017)
The Lord Mayors Procession 2018Byline: Sonya DuncanCopyright: Archant 2018 (Image: Archant 2017)
The Lord Mayors Procession 2018Byline: Sonya DuncanCopyright: Archant 2018 (Image: Archant 2017)
The Lord Mayors Procession 2018Byline: Sonya DuncanCopyright: Archant 2018 (Image: Archant 2017)
The Lord Mayors Procession 2018Byline: Sonya DuncanCopyright: Archant 2018 (Image: Archant 2017)
The Lord Mayors Procession 2018Byline: Sonya DuncanCopyright: Archant 2018 (Image: Archant 2017)
The Lord Mayors Procession 2018Byline: Sonya DuncanCopyright: Archant 2018 (Image: Archant 2017)
The Lord Mayors Procession 2018Byline: Sonya DuncanCopyright: Archant 2018 (Image: Archant 2017)
The Lord Mayors Procession 2018Byline: Sonya DuncanCopyright: Archant 2018 (Image: Archant 2017)
The Lord Mayors Procession 2018Byline: Sonya DuncanCopyright: Archant 2018 (Image: Archant 2017)
The Lord Mayors Procession 2018Byline: Sonya DuncanCopyright: Archant 2018 (Image: Archant 2017)
The Lord Mayors Procession 2018Byline: Sonya DuncanCopyright: Archant 2018 (Image: Archant 2017)
The Lord Mayors Procession 2018Byline: Sonya DuncanCopyright: Archant 2018 (Image: Archant 2017)
The Lord Mayors Procession 2018Byline: Sonya DuncanCopyright: Archant 2018 (Image: Archant 2017)
The Lord Mayors Procession 2018Byline: Sonya DuncanCopyright: Archant 2018 (Image: Archant 2017)
The Lord Mayors Procession 2018Byline: Sonya DuncanCopyright: Archant 2018 (Image: Archant 2017)
The Lord Mayors Procession 2018Byline: Sonya DuncanCopyright: Archant 2018 (Image: Archant 2017)
The Lord Mayors Procession 2018Byline: Sonya DuncanCopyright: Archant 2018 (Image: Archant 2017)
The Lord Mayors Procession 2018Byline: Sonya DuncanCopyright: Archant 2018 (Image: Archant 2017)
The Lord Mayors Procession 2018Byline: Sonya DuncanCopyright: Archant 2018 (Image: Archant 2017)
The Lord Mayors Procession 2018Byline: Sonya DuncanCopyright: Archant 2018 (Image: Archant 2017)
The Lord Mayors Procession 2018Byline: Sonya DuncanCopyright: Archant 2018 (Image: Archant 2017)
The Lord Mayors Procession 2018Byline: Sonya DuncanCopyright: Archant 2018 (Image: Archant 2017)
The Lord Mayors Procession 2018Byline: Sonya DuncanCopyright: Archant 2018 (Image: Archant 2017)
The Lord Mayors Procession 2018Byline: Sonya DuncanCopyright: Archant 2018 (Image: Archant 2017)
The Lord Mayors Procession 2018Byline: Sonya DuncanCopyright: Archant 2018 (Image: Archant 2017)
The Lord Mayors Procession 2018Byline: Sonya DuncanCopyright: Archant 2018 (Image: Archant 2017)
The Lord Mayors Procession 2018Byline: Sonya DuncanCopyright: Archant 2018 (Image: Archant 2017)
The Lord Mayors Procession 2018Byline: Sonya DuncanCopyright: Archant 2018 (Image: Archant 2017)
The Lord Mayors Procession 2018Byline: Sonya DuncanCopyright: Archant 2018 (Image: Archant 2017)
The Lord Mayors Procession 2018Byline: Sonya DuncanCopyright: Archant 2018 (Image: Archant 2017)
The Lord Mayors Procession 2018Byline: Sonya DuncanCopyright: Archant 2018 (Image: Archant 2017)
The Lord Mayors Procession 2018Byline: Sonya DuncanCopyright: Archant 2018 (Image: Archant 2017)
The Lord Mayors Procession 2018Byline: Sonya DuncanCopyright: Archant 2018 (Image: Archant 2017)
The Lord Mayors Procession 2018Byline: Sonya DuncanCopyright: Archant 2018 (Image: Archant 2017)
The Lord Mayors Procession 2018Byline: Sonya DuncanCopyright: Archant 2018 (Image: Archant 2017)
The Lord Mayors Procession 2018Byline: Sonya DuncanCopyright: Archant 2018 (Image: Archant 2017)
The Lord Mayors Procession 2018Byline: Sonya DuncanCopyright: Archant 2018 (Image: Archant 2017)
The Lord Mayors Procession 2018Byline: Sonya DuncanCopyright: Archant 2018 (Image: Archant 2017)
The Lord Mayors Procession 2018Byline: Sonya DuncanCopyright: Archant 2018 (Image: Archant 2017)
The Lord Mayors Procession 2018Byline: Sonya DuncanCopyright: Archant 2018 (Image: Archant 2017)
The Lord Mayors Procession 2018Byline: Sonya DuncanCopyright: Archant 2018 (Image: Archant 2017)
The Lord Mayors Procession 2018Byline: Sonya DuncanCopyright: Archant 2018 (Image: Archant 2017)
The Lord Mayors Procession 2018Byline: Sonya DuncanCopyright: Archant 2018 (Image: Archant 2017)
The Lord Mayors Procession 2018Byline: Sonya DuncanCopyright: Archant 2018 (Image: Archant 2017)
The Lord Mayors Procession 2018Byline: Sonya DuncanCopyright: Archant 2018 (Image: Archant 2017)
The Lord Mayors Procession 2018Byline: Sonya DuncanCopyright: Archant 2018 (Image: Archant 2017)
The Lord Mayors Procession 2018Byline: Sonya DuncanCopyright: Archant 2018 (Image: Archant 2017)
The Lord Mayors Procession 2018Byline: Sonya DuncanCopyright: Archant 2018 (Image: Archant 2017)
The Lord Mayors Procession 2018Byline: Sonya DuncanCopyright: Archant 2018 (Image: Archant 2017)
The Lord Mayors Procession 2018Byline: Sonya DuncanCopyright: Archant 2018 (Image: Archant 2017)
The Lord Mayors Procession 2018Byline: Sonya DuncanCopyright: Archant 2018 (Image: Archant 2017)
The Lord Mayors Procession 2018Byline: Sonya DuncanCopyright: Archant 2018 (Image: Archant 2017)
The Lord Mayors Procession 2018Byline: Sonya DuncanCopyright: Archant 2018 (Image: Archant 2017)
The Lord Mayors Procession 2018Byline: Sonya DuncanCopyright: Archant 2018 (Image: Archant 2017)
The Lord Mayors Procession 2018Byline: Sonya DuncanCopyright: Archant 2018 (Image: Archant 2017)
The Lord Mayors Procession 2018Byline: Sonya DuncanCopyright: Archant 2018 (Image: Archant 2017)
The Lord Mayors Procession 2018Byline: Sonya DuncanCopyright: Archant 2018 (Image: Archant 2017)
The Lord Mayors Procession 2018Byline: Sonya DuncanCopyright: Archant 2018 (Image: Archant 2017)
The Lord Mayors Procession 2018Byline: Sonya DuncanCopyright: Archant 2018 (Image: Archant 2017)
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