Dickens Festival in Broadstairs

I went over to Broadstairs to see the start of the Dickens Festival on Saturday.
The parade started from the Pierremont war memorial and the costumed characters praded down the high street to the sea front and the Victoria Gardens.

Dickens was a regular visitor to Broadstairs from 1837 to 1851,which he called "Our English Watering Place"  While he stayed in Fort House, Dickens wrote his famous book, David Copperfield.

The festival was started in 1937 and has been held annualy except during the second world war.

I always appreciate the effort people take in making costumes and accessories and keeping local traditions alive. The weather stayed dry fortunately but the wind was strong and many a hand was clutched to a hat as they paraded through the town.

The restored Sefton Landau carriage had two beautiful black horses decorated with plumes and carried the Royal Characters.

At the Victoria Gardens there were stalls outside and inside a marquee. After the opening speeches there were readings from Dickens and musical entertainment.

The wind did play havoc with the sound system but people seemed to be enjoying performances sitting in traditional deckchairs.