GIANT slinkies, a brass band and maypole dancers were among the performers to fill the streets of Chelmsford on Saturday for the annual CITYdiversions festival.
The outdoor event, now a decade old, was for the first time spread out over two locations - the city centre and the Anglia Ruskin University campus in Chelmsford.
Performers from Australia, France and the UK flocked to both sites to put on a variety of free entertainment. Visitors were also treated to international street food and a vintage funfair.
A free shuttle bus was also laid on to transport visitors from Anglia Ruskin to Chelmsford city centre.
Mel Archer, 40, from Braintree, who came with her seven-year-old daughter Daisi, said: "We come in each year for it, it's fantastic.
"We had favourites from last year that we came to see, and we saw some new acts as well.
"Daisi liked the slinkies, and we loved the granny racers. It's awesome, and I wish we had more things like this happening in Chelmsford."
'Far better than sitting at home watching TV'
Among the performances was Street Dance the Maypole, featuring a Ceilidh band, which got children and parents in the crowd up and dancing.
Event co-ordinator Lily Robins, 23, said: "It's gone really well, we've had a positive reception from artists and audiences, it's been a great family fun day in the city.
"We want to encourage people to come out and bring their kids, it also is great to get people interested in the arts at a younger age and encourage them to think outside the box – which is far better than sitting at home watching TV."
The city was filled with a stunning variety of acts, and Pavel Douglas, with the National Theatre Company, who played one of the 'radio-head' style acts, said he was greeted by a warm reception.
"People come into the city knowing they are going to be surprised," he said.
"They want to see their old favourites from past years and it has been great because we've had stuff spread out all over the city, and have been able to use the space really well."
