Hundreds of visitors lined the streets to watch the grand parade, and many thousands more took advantage of the sunny weather to tour the stalls and cheer on the numerous acts who wowed the crowds with their daring stunts and colourful displays.

More than 8,000 visitors were there on the day, making this year's event the biggest by far, and with more stalls and bigger attractions than in previous years, many visitors said it had been the best yet.

June Akister lived in Bilton for years, and came back for the day just to join her friend and former neighbour Joan Sanders, for the gala event.

"We were here when it first started, baking, and our next door neighbour was the first gala queen," she said, "but this is the biggest I have ever seen.

"It's been lovely, there's so many stalls here, there's even more than last year. It's the best one I've seen for a while. They must have put in an awful lot of work, there's a great turnout."

Jennifer Varley, from Bilton, has been coming to the gala ever since it started, 31 years ago. She was on the Townswomen's Guild float in the first ever parade, dressed as a jester.

"It's just nice that it keeps going on after all these years, it's nice to see something local carrying on," she said. "It looks like they've managed well and it's a credit to all those that organised it.

"I come most years, and my daughter too when she was at school. I think it's brilliant that it keeps going and that it's so well supported. I'll be back next year all being well."

Michael Todd, from Bilton, came with Jodie, 8. He used to drive the floats in the first parades, more than 30 years ago, but still comes back every year with his children and grandchildren. He said: "It's great, the trampolining, the parade, we watched everything. We've come ever since it started, but it just gets bigger and bigger."

Tracy Turnbull, from Bilton, went to school herself at Richard Taylor School, and has been coming to the parade since she was a child. She brought her husband Neil and children Antonia, 10, and Christian, 6, who were both in this year's parade.

She said: "We've had a fabulous day, it was a great parade. The weather is better, it's the warmest it's been for years."

Clive and Ruth Dresner came down from Northumberland for the day. They brought Lucy, three, and Natty, six and a half, whose favourite part of the day was the chance to go on the trampolines.

His mum said it had been a great way to keep the kids entertained: "It's a great community event, and it looks like a good turnout."

Gala chairman Stuart Frost said they were delighted at the fantastic turnout, and thanked all those who made the effort to attend.

He said: "I'm really pleased to get this many people and the parade was fantastic. All in all it's been a great day, the weather has smiled on us. It's unreal how much effort it takes, but it's worth it when you see all these people having such a great time."


by ANNE RICHARDS, Bilton Area Correspondent

THE theme was 'Under the Sea' and the worry was that it would be a sea of mud! But the rain stopped, a hazy sun emerged and so did the crowds

The parade was huge and was led by Gala Queen Alice McAvoy and her attendants Georgina Webb and Jess Breeze followed by Bedale Brass Band, Hewden diggers, the new Harrogate, Knaresborough, York bus from Harrogate District Travel then a vintage Middlesbrough Corporation double decker.

There were vintage cars and scooters, No 58 Harrogate Squadron ATC, the British Sub Aqua Club, Le Classiques Majorettes, Richard Taylor School, 1st and 2nd Bilton Brownies, Blast Off, 1st and 2nd Bilton Rainbows, 3rd Harrogate Scouts, decorated bikes and prams with one pram occupant managing to stay asleep.

ASDA had a float, there was Saint Michael's Hospice, Woodfield Gospel Hall, St John's Playgroup, Billowby Bear and people in fancy dress.

The winning float was Octopus Garden by Barnardos, second were the pirates from Blakedale and Killinghall Nomads and 3rd was 4th Bilton Brownies with The Galleon Before it Sank.

The parade was so long it had to set off before the judging of the floats was complete so the Mayor and Mayoress of Harrogate, Coun Cliff Trotter and his wife Gillian with Phil Willis, MP running after them to present rosettes was a bit of unexpected entertainment.

Back at the main arena retiring gala queen Amy Frost crowned Alice McAvoy and both made a short speech of welcome to all and thanks to the organisers.

Then followed the judging of the fancy dress. Winner of the under 5s was Jack Watson as a sea monster, 2nd was Jake King as Nemo and 3rd was Zak Barlow, a pirate. Erika Slater as a jelly fish won the 5 - 11s with Kaitlyn Marsh, a mermaid, 2nd; 3rd place went to Andrew and Amy Walton as Sponge Bob and his House. Zara Barton won the over 12s as 80s retro.

Then followed an afternoon of entertainment and activities with Jez Avery, the bands and majorettes, birds of prey, the army, bouncy castles and fair ground to name just a few.

The stalls were many and varied with lots to see, buy, eat, learn about and competitions to enter. Bilton Gala has become a real family fun day, there were parents bringing children for the first time, teenager, those who remember the first gala 31 years ago and many of all ages enjoying the annual reunion. Long may it continue!