Pirates and performers join in South Tyneside festival fun

More than 2,000 people, from babies through to pensioners, dressed in colourful costumes, marched, danced and sang their way through South Shields during the popular event.

Crowds lined the streets of the town to watch the decorated floats go by.

This year the organisers chose the theme of Maritime Mayhem and there was everything from Captain Jack Sparrow through to giant seagulls.

The Marsden Colliery band got the festival celebrations underway entertaining the visitors in the run-up to the parade itself which featured a huge array of sea creatures, pirates, sailors and even The Beatles in their Yellow Submarine float.

With the borough’s long and proud tradition of seafaring, shipbuilding and lifesaving, South Tyneside Council wanted the parade to be a celebration of the strengths of the coastal community.

Mayor of South Tyneside, Coun Alan Smith, said he was delighted to be able to dress up in the full mayoral outfit for such an important event.

He said: “I am absolutely delighted with the parade and very, very proud as well.

“Months of hard work and planning goes into it.”

He said it was fantastic to see the community come together with groups from all over the borough taking part, including schools, charity groups, dance groups and uniformed organisations.

The nautical theme was also chosen to celebrate the work of the South Shields Volunteer Life Brigade, which marks its 150th anniversary this year, having saved countless lives during that time.

The Summer Parade set off from South Shields Town Hall and travelled Fowler Street and Ocean Road to Bents Park, where the entertainment continued throughout the day with live music and family friendly activities.