Thousands of people turned out to mark the 50th Kimpton May Festival held over the bank holiday weekend.

The Comet: The Kimpton May parade comes down the high streetThe Kimpton May parade comes down the high street (Image: Archant)

The four-day event kicked off on Friday with an art show at the Church of St Peter and and St Paul, as well as an English wine tasting event hosted by Mark Buckenham from Stevenage-based The Wine Society.

The Comet: A marshall at the front of the Kimpton May festivalA marshall at the front of the Kimpton May festival (Image: Archant)

Crowds of people lined Kimpton High Street for the grand procession of themed floats on Saturday.

The procession was fronted by a Brazilian Samba band and dancers, who led the crowds to the main arena at Kimpton Recreation Ground where there were performances from Titan the Robot and The English School of Falconry, and many other acts.

Further entertainment and activities were held on Sunday including Kimpton Music Night, before the festival came to a close on Monday with a grand auction and draw on the village green.

Committee member Graham Archer said: “As promised it was wall-to-wall family fun all weekend at the Kimpton May Festival. Early indications are the funds raised will be in excess of £25,000 with proceeds being split three ways between the church restoration fund, Kimpton Memorial Hall and other community projects and worthy causes.”

• Click the link at the top-right of the page for a gallery of pictures from the festival.