A combination of excitement and sunshine brought communities together at the weekend for a host of different events.
PEOPLE across the county basked in glorious sunshine during a host of weekend events involving everything from scarecrows and choirs to food and beer.
Councillor Mick Barker was delighted to see 3,000 people visit Oakwood Gala.
He said the event, which is in its sixth year since it was reintroduced after a three year absence, had been the best yet.
The gala took place from noon to 7pm at Oakwood Park and had a wild animal show, a beauty parlour, a dog show, a bouncy castle and a host of stalls.
Mr Barker said: "At its peak, we had 2,500 people here, that was at 3pm, but 3,000 attended all together, I would say.
"It's done very well. It is all down to a small committee of five people from the Oakwood Community Centre who have done an excellent job. They really do deserve to get a lot of credit.
"It is really established as one of the best summer events in the city. The weather has really helped as well."
On Saturday was the annual West Hallam wells and scarecrow trail.
More than 70 scarecrows were on show and will remain on display until next Friday, July 18.
The event was tied in with entertainment including a children's magician and refreshments as around 400 people enjoyed viewing the trail.
Chairman Roger Green, 61, said the event had been a great success.
Mr Green, of Hathway, West Hallam, said: "The event has gone very well. It's been great to have lots of entertainment and fun for the family.
"People have told me they have really enjoyed it because it is something which brings us together.
"We have had about 400 people to come and enjoy it and look at the wells.
"Now we are done for this year we are really looking forward to next year, as soon as we have had a rest.
"I know we will all be here again."
At the Cathedral Green in Derby on Saturday, there was a Bastille Day event featuring a craft workshop, face painting and refreshment.
The event was organised by Derby firm Whiffle Pig in aid of creative workshops it runs for the charities Derby Making Space, Headway Derby, Derby Women's Centre and Air at the Royal Derby Hospital.
Thousands of people gathered for the annual Belper Food Festival on Sunday. It was a great chance for local food producers from all over the East Midlands to gather.
The town centre was taken over as visitors had the chance to taste a huge range of products on sale, including real ale, cheeses, meats and cakes.
Mary Button, of Smith Hall Organic Farm in Ashbourne, was at the event.
She said: "We have been selling our roast pork and beef, and steak pies and lots more. We have done really well and the people of Belper have been great.
"People are really interested in where their food comes from and that is very important to us.
"This is the fourth time we have been and it's a very good brand. The event feels more like a carnival."
On Saturday, visitors at Kingsway Fire Station in Derby had the chance to experience what it is like inside a smoke-filled house.
The experience was one of a number of attractions at the fire station's open day.
Others included mini-rides on a fire engine as well as firefighter demonstrations.
People also took a break from the sunshine to visit the stepping stones which cross the River Dove at Dovedale in the Peak District.
And Carsington Water yesterday played host to a Songs of Praise event organised by the Ashbourne and Wirksworth Churches together.
