THE heavens opened at about 4.30pm on Saturday and organisers of the first ever 60s live music festival in Pickering hung their heads and thought all their hard work was going to be washed away.
FONZ LOOKALIKE ... Enjoying the Sixties festival weekend in Pickering, committee member Frank Atkinson with his 1969 Hillman Imp 0824103j
But the downpour passed and the open air celebration of the 60s got into full swing with tribute band The Piggies and Mike Pender's Searchers headlining the show in the Market Place on Saturday night.
Groovy chick Denise Hattersley 0824103f
Throughout the day there were memorabilia stalls, a parade of cars, scooters and bikes from the era, demonstrations of hair styles of the 60s by staff from the Goodys salon and a fancy dress competition Chairman of the organising committee, Tommy Woodward, said: "We had a really heavy shower just as the classic vehicle parade was about to start and I was really depressed because I thought that was it.
Steph Brough, both of the Penumbra shop 0824103g
"But it passed and became overcast. There were only about 200 people in the Market Place at that stage, although all the pubs and bars were full."
CLASSIC ... Tommy Woodward wearing his mod suit, on his 60s scooter. 0824103c
By 6.30pm a fine sunny evening was in the offing and people started pouring into the town centre.
Cool dudes, the Fox family of Jessica, left, Sarah and Garry looking the part 0824103e
Tommy said: "The Market Place was full, without being choc-a-bloc – I reckon there were about 1,000 people there.
PEACE MAN ... Max Dalquen, left, and Ashley Ward, from the band Chu Ma Shu, with friend John Cheetham 0824103d
The classic car parade into Pickering Market Place 0824103a
"The bands were absolutely fantastic and people were singing along and dancing. Everyone we've spoken to said it was a great night."
A window display in Pickering Market Place 0824103k
A bucket collection and donations from stallholders has given the committee about £1,500 profit to plough into doing it all again next year.
The Searchers entertaining the crowds submitted
Tribute band The Piggies dressed as the Beatles submitted
Tommy said: "We started this year's festival five months ago, with nothing in the bank and not knowing if it was what people wanted. "Now we'll definitely do it again next year. We've got the whole year to plan it and raise money. Eventually we'd like to make it two day event."
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