THE sun finally shone through at Weymouth Carnival to make it a day to remember.

Despite a soggy start, which saw opening events in the morning washed out by torrential rain, the charity-boosting extravaganza was a success with thousands of people flocking to town to enjoy aerial displays, live music, street performances and the grand procession.

Organisers from Melcombe Regis Rotary Club had wanted the party atmosphere that carried along the Olympics to continue and they were not disappointed.

The town started ‘buzzing’ in the afternoon when the rain finally stopped and the sun came out, said carnival chairman Roger Hogbin.

The organising committee had feared the worst when heavy rain forced them to abandon the Red Devils parachute team, and delay the official opening at the New Vic where Elysia Munday was crowned carnival queen.

The poor weather continued to ‘shoot the programme to bits’ according to Mr Hogbin as events were postponed and hastily rearranged for later.

He thanked the scores of volunteers who helped to move and set up equipment in the downpour.

A live music party on the beach was transferred to the shelter of the ICCI360 Dome outside the Pavilion before being moved back to a big stage on the sands when everything dried out.

The Anglo-Maltese singer Sophie and the X Factor star Andy Abraham proved popular with families while local bands Stereoironics and Shooter kept the party going into the night.

A new Fun Zone attraction on the Esplanade featuring stunt bikes, street performers, and musical acts had to be halted until the rain stopped, by which time not all acts were able to perform.

When events did get underway, families came out to soak up the atmosphere.

Worries of a low turnout of floats in the procession were forgotten when a healthy number of lorries and walking entries turned out for the parade along with four marching bands.

And Weymouth Carnival may have been without its star turn, the word-famous Red Arrows who were returning from a show overseas, but there were aerial displays to keep the crowds entertained.

Spectators hoping to see three Second World War planes forming the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight had to make do with just one Lancaster bomber. There were thrills and spills when pilot Nigel Wilson flew his Yak plane over the beach – and a show stopping performance from the six planes of the Aerostars which performed a routine similar to the Red Arrows.

The team is new to Weymouth Carnival and were brought in as the highlight act when organisers failed to secure the Reds.

Roger Hogbin said: “It was an absolutely wonderful day.

“It was forecast for rain in the morning but we didn’t expect such a tremendous downpour and it was a shame that a few things couldn’t go ahead.

“That all changed in the afternoon when the sun came out which in turn brought the crowds out.

“Now begins the long process of counting the money and sharing it out to local charities which of course is the ultimate aim of the carnival.”

King of pantomime sings to crowds on the beach

PANTOMIME king Andy Abraham gave carnival-goers a taste of what’s to come as he performed on Weymouth beach.

Andy sang some of his own records along with classics such as Al Green’s Let’s Stay Together. He said he was looking forward to his first pantomime, Jack and the Beanstalk, at Weymouth Pavilion later this year.

He added: “I love Weymouth. The aerial views of the town in the Olympic coverage looked great. I really enjoyed watching it – hopefully the young athletes can go to Rio and do even better in four years’ time.”

Andy said he hopes to come back to Weymouth and perform again after the panto and that he will be part of a UK tour of music and comedy next year with Shane Richie and singer Gareth Gates.