Video: Crowds flock to
Herne Bay Carnival 2010.

Thousands of people lined the route
of the Herne Bay carnival parade on Saturday cementing its
reputation as one of the biggest and most popular in Kent.

The heavy rain clouds which had
threatened to dampen spirits cleared just before the procession was
due to set off and the sun broke through.

Led by the band of Herne Bay Sea
Cadets, the 55 floats and streets walkers set off along the
seafront shaking their buckets for donations which organizers say
came back full of coins.

The entries including some very
imaginatively dressed floats and walkers, including characters from
Toy Story and Shrek.

But it was the Sixties/Seventies
themed performance by Greenhill Gym Club who caught the judges' eye
to win the coveted best entry prize.

Carnival association secretary,
Kate Birkett said: "We were very relieved the rain held off and we
even had sunshine to end the day which made it so much nicer for
people watching.

"Yet again the town came out to
give us fantastic support and it went very smoothly without a
hitch. Judging from some of the buckets full of coins we got back,
the fundraising looks healthy too but we are still counting up the
total."

The day ended with the carnival
dance at the Kings Hall where visiting carnival courts and guests
danced the night away.

See more photos in this
week's Herne Bay Gazette, out Thursday.