DUNFERMLINE High Street was awash in sunshine and fairy princesses, superheroes, Vikings, and even haggises and Nessies, as thousands turned out to celebrate an absolutely wizard Children’s Gala on Saturday.

With a theme of 'Myths, Legends and Fairy Tales’, this year’s event attracted a spellbinding assortment of costumes, with kids – and adults! – dressed as everything from Thor and Medusa, to Roman gladiators, Harry Potter and Darth Vader.

Gala patron Lady Elgin and McLean Primary pupil Aleesha Powrie, who designed the winning artwork for this year’s gala brochure, led off the parade in vintage cars.

They were followed by special young guests from Trondheim, in town to mark the 70th anniversary of the Dunfermline Trondheim Twinning Association, and then thousands of pupils from Dunfermline and Rosyth primary schools, marching in their colourful and imaginative get-ups.

Lending support were the Dunfermline Army Cadets and Rosyth Sea Cadets and adding magic to the march were stiltwalkers, medieval minstrels, a giant red dragon, Cyclops, wizard and a hula-hoop fairy, among others!

A host of local bands provided the music, including Sambangra – playing their unique fusion of Asian and Brazilian styles – Drumatik, the West Fife Schools Pipe Band, Royal Burgh of Inverkeithing Pipe Band, Tower House Samba Band, the Boys’ Brigade Marching Band, the Dunfermline Army Cadets and the Dunfermline Town Band.

Following the parade, kids enjoyed sports and games in the Glen and there was entertainment provided by Dunfermline’s Spartans Gymnastics Club, a drill by the Sea Cadets, a comedy and circus performance, as well as a funfair, bouncy castles, 'Beat the Goalie’, face-painting, crafts and stalls.

Gala chair Ruth Young beamed, “The weather was amazing, especially considering the day before and after the gala when it was pouring with rain!

“We’re getting lots of amazing feedback and are very pleased. There was a really good atmosphere, a lot of people decided to stay in the Glen and use it as it should be used, and it was all-round brilliant.

“The children were fantastic, we had a huge range of outfits and looking at all their faces in the photos they had a great time – a couple of the gala reps went above and beyond with their costumes too!

“I was at the City Chambers with the guests from Trondheim and they were just blown away by the parade. The depute mayor was really impressed!

“A huge thank-you to FMC for again sponsoring us and Fife Council gave us money as well.

“Special thanks also go to the Rosyth Sea Cadets, Dunfermline Air Cadets, teenage volunteers from Dunfermline, Woodmill and St Columba’s high schools, the Vine Church, all the gala reps and parent helpers, the gala executive committee who did a fantastic job, and Nigel the parks manager and his team who were so helpful and went above and beyond what they needed to do.” Don't miss your free 24-page gala souvenir inside this Thursday's Press - packed with pictures from a great day.