Street Festival starts with parade in town

The annual two-week event is returning for its fourth year, and started with a parade down the High Street on Saturday morning.

Festival founder Claire Dawson said there was about 100 people involved in the launch event

Saturday’s theme was under the sea, and singer Oscar Armenta, 20, got into the spirit of things by dressing up in an inflatable shark costume.

‘I thought it would be fun to dress up,’ he said, ‘but it’s a bit hot.’

He has a busy fortnight ahead, with one or two performances a day throughout the festival.

Samba Burros led the parade, with more than a dozen drummers heading down Smith Street.

The rest of the parade took a longer route, which came up the Pollet.

There were about 30 Guernsey Majorettes, ranging in age from two to 15 years old, doing a routine, which was undertaken earlier in the week for the King’s visit.

‘They just love it,’ said leader Lucy McKenzie.

There were also 16 musicians from the 2nd Guernsey Boys Brigade band.

Lead side drummer Steve England said the band was always keeping busy, having already performed at the Viaer Marchi this month, and they had a range of engagements coming up.

‘Every month we are doing something,’ he said.

Mrs Dawson said her organising team was prepared for a mixed week of weather ahead and noted that they always had the indoor Inner Street of the Market buildings as an option. But in very bad weather, some performances may be disrupted.

• The full schedule is available at guernseystreetfestival.com.