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Street festival is hot stuff for visitors

From the Hampshire Chronicle, first published Thursday 6th Jul 2006.

Winchester Hat Fair sweltered in the sunshine on Friday, Saturday and Sunday. The event, which is Britain's largest street theatre festival, attracted thousands to the city as the temperature soared.

One of the highlights on Friday was the Schools' Procession. Hundreds of children, many dressed in costumes, paraded through the city. They also had drums and whistles, ensuring a noisy progression through the medieval streets.

The sunshine on Saturday was even hotter. Among the highlights was Nutkhut, a group of Asian dancers outside the Great Hall who performed a show called Bollywood Steps.

There were several attractions on the cathedral green as well, including the Wicked Faerie Grotto, with fun activities for youngsters.

Beside it was the Circus Box Workshop, where young and old learned tricks from the big top, such as plate spinning.

A giant portable maze, entitled Get Lost!, was also brought to the cathedral green by Dot Comedy. Fearless visitors headed through the leafy labyrinth, which was designed to entertain and disorientate with some special effects.

The final day of this year's event featured the now-traditional Sunday market and shows at Oram's Arbour.

The event's director of celebrations, Sian Thomas, said: "It's been really wonderful and the people were so lovely and friendly, even after we lost the football."

For more Hat Fair pictures, see this week's Hampshire Chronicle.