Rain didn't stop play at the Maidstone Mela this year.

The event, now in its 11th year, expanded to take in Friday before pulling out all the stops for the main event at Mote Park in Maidstone on Sunday.

Despite the wet weather, around 500 school children took part in a parade from County Hall to Jubilee Square on Friday, followed by live music, while on Sunday around 10,000 people converged on the park for more live music and food from around the globe.
Artistic director Gurvinder Sandher said: “I was very pleased with the support shown to the Mela by the local community. Events like this take a lot of planning and hard work, but that is all worthwhile if people enjoy it.”

For more pictures and full story, see Friday's Kent Messenger.