Wierd and wacky –that’s the only way to describe some of the sights which greeted shoppers in Chatham High Street on Saturday.

The launch of the 2008 Fuse arts festival provided the usual mix of the unexpected.

In the evening, Chatham’s Riverside was the venue for a Caribbean Carnival event.

And there will be plenty more to come over the next three weeks, including the latest contingent of Hei People, the scarecrow-like figures which have caused a stir wherever they appear.

The festival runs until Saturday, June 14.

Spanning three weekends of great live performances and exhibitions, it’s a celebration of arts and creativity in Medway.

The print edition of the Medway Messenger will be bringing you a weekly guide to all the events, including art exhibitions, theatre, music, dance, street arts, cabaret and family fun.

We also want your comments on the highlights of this year's festival. If you have any pictures you'd like us to add to the picture gallery email them to medwaymessenger@thekmgroup.co.uk.