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Thousands are expected to flock to Rochester today to enjoy the last day of the annual Sweeps Festival

By: Lynn Cox lcox@thekmgroup.co.uk

Published: 11:00, 07 May 2018

Thousands of people are expected to flock to Rochester today to enjoy the last day of the annual Sweeps Festival.

Their is still time to make merry in the streets as the annual Sweeps Festival reaches its last day.

Steeped in tradition, the festival has had visitors in the the streets of Rochester jumping to the beat with music, dancing and family-friendly fun.

Thousands are expected today for the last day of the festival, picture Anthony Rigg

The first steps of the festival kicked-off on May Day with the traditional Jack-in-the-Green awakening ceremony at dawn at the Blue Bell Hill picnic area.

The Jack-in-the-Green, an 8ft walking bush which has been associated with the Rochester Chimney Sweeps since the 1600s, leads a parade of dancers and performers along the High Street today at 2.45pm.

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More than 50 bands have been performing over the weekend and will continue today as hundreds of morris dancers from across the country - including the Ragged Crow group from New Zealand - come together to bring the High Street alive with colour and dancing.

Some of the Morris dancers at the festival, picture Anthony Rigg

The festival, which is one of the largest May Day celebrations of its kind, has been packed performances and events.

Other attractions include a folk-art and psychic fair, a children’s fun fair, real ale tent and a licensed bar in Rochester Castle Gardens.

In the castle grounds there is also an artisan produce fair, which this year includes a vegan area. There is also a musical instrument fair, record fair and performances at Boley Hill.

Some of the Morris dancers at the festival, picture Anthony Rigg

Daniel Towers, 40, from Rochester, visited the festival on Saturday.

He said: "It was alive with colour and real fun to watch the Morris dancers and other performers and there was plenty for the youngsters to do in the castle gardens too."

Today, there will be a family day, Splat!, between 11am and 4pm in Rochester Castle Moat with hands-on workshops and fun performances.

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