After uncertainty over whether it would even go ahead, yesterday's Chaddesden Big 1 drew thousands of people to enjoy a day in the sun. Ella Rhodes was there.
ONE organiser behind the Chaddesden Big 1 carnival has said it should be renamed The Lucky One, as the weather is always so good for the event.
Wendy Bush, vice-chairman of the steering committee for the event, said she was "very relieved" it had gone ahead despite earlier doubts.
She said: "It's absolutely fantastic to see so many people, and it's been a great success. We always get some beautiful weather – we really are lucky."
Concerns were raised last week that the condition of the ground at Chaddesden Park after recent wet weather could have forced it to be cancelled.
But around 20,000 people were estimated to be at the park to enjoy the beautiful weather, stalls, dog shows, fun fair and food.
Ms Bush, also a case worker and fund-raiser for armed forces charity SSAFA, said: "I had a few phone calls from people asking me whether it was going ahead. There was a little bit of confusion in the morning.
"But it's wonderful that it's gone ahead."
A cancellation would have been a "disaster" for Michelle Waller, volunteer for charity Umbrella, which provides activities for children with disabilities.
Michelle, 26, said: "We've brought eight children here today and we come quite regularly. It's so popular with the children and parents.
"It would have been awful had it been cancelled.
"It's a great event with lots of multi-sensory activities for the children to enjoy and something different for each one of them."
The Anna Michelle School of Dance put on a brilliant show of cheerleading and dancing to entertain the crowds.
Dancer Aniella Windridge, 19, of Chaddesden, is a teacher at the school.
She said: "We've performed here for five years and everyone always seems to really enjoy it."
Sisters Sydney, 11, and Dillon Castledine, eight, had a go rolling around in zorbs – huge plastic, inflatable spheres.
Their grandmother, Marilyn Mitchell, of Littleover watched on.
The 63-year-old said: "I've never been to this carnival before but I read about it in the Derby Telegraph and thought I'd bring the girls down.
"It's really amazing, much bigger than I thought it would be.
"The girls love it. As soon as they saw the bouncy castles, they were off and they've never been in a zorb before."
See a video from the event below:
Sarah Allen, 29, of Chaddesden took along her children – Emily, seven, and Thomas Shipley, two.
She said: "It's great and there's lots of different things to do, loads of stalls, and some smaller rides for the little kids."
Brian Farnsworth donned a patriotic Union flag suit to run a tombola which was raising money for the Highfield Lane allotments and Derbyshire's visually impaired cricket team.
The 67-year-old from Chaddesden said: "We support a charity every year and last year we raised £1,000."
