Thousands descend on Rochester for start of Sweeps Festival 2013

THOUSANDS descended on Rochester for the start of the 33rd annual Sweeps Festival today.

Morris dancers, folk musicians and costumed characters entertained crowds along the length of the High Street while live music rang out in Rochester Castle Gardens.

The festival, officially opened by Mayor of Medway Cllr Vaughan Hewett outside the Guildhall this morning, is bigger than ever this year, with several live music stages and market stalls.

Take a look at our photos from Sweeps Festival on day one: Part 1 and Part 2

A new addition to this year's festival, Buskers' Corner by Boley Hill car park, plays host to local musicians every hour, while folk musicians are also taking to the stage at the City Wall.

A traditional fun fair, a folk trailer stage, a record fair, arts and crafts stalls and sellers of locally-produced food and drink are on site in Rochester Castle Gardens.

Choirs singing songs ranging from modern folk tracks to sea shanties will take part in a competition on stage at the Corn Exchange on Monday.

Music acts The Singing Loins and Tim Edey will also be performing there over the weekend - where there will be a chance to learn how to make a cigar box guitar.  

The Edith May barge, moored at the Esplanade, will be hosting more live music throughout the weekend.

The main event of the three-day festival, Sweeps Parade, takes place on Monday 6 May at 2.45pm. It starts from the Star Hill end of the High Street and will travel towards the castle grounds.

To see the full programme of what's on at Sweeps Festival, download a guide from Medway Council here. 

Have you been to Sweeps Festival this weekend? Why not share your photos with us? You can upload them on the homepage.