All the fun of Llandudno's Victorian Extravaganza and Transport Festival
Thousands of tourists from all over the world stepped back in time as they flocked into Llandudno for the first day of one of the regions biggest events.
The three-day Victorian Extravaganza and Transport festival saw crowds gather along the promenade where several classic cars and vintage vehicles were parked.
Spectators also watched local choirs, bands and street performers.
The streets of the Victorian town were taken over by thousands of revellers from as far as New Zealand and Canada who came out to experience the 31st event.
Visitors dressed in traditional Victorian-style clothing.
Vintage style double decker buses passed up and down the seafront packed with children enjoying an old-fashioned ride.
Jill Harwood, 66, from Chesterfield who was dressed in a big green Victorian-style gown has taken part in the event’s parade for more than 10 years.
She said the Extravaganza is “biggest and best” event of its kind.
“The parade has to be the highlight of the whole event, it is the reason I come back year on year.
“It’s just fantastic to see the crowds faces, the waving of the hands and people hanging out of the balconies to watch us walk by.
“There’s always a brilliant atmosphere here.
“I know a lot of people who go around the country to other events like this around the UK but this is by far the biggest and best.
“It’s the camaraderie that makes this event so great – it’s fantastic to meet up with the same people who return for the same reason year on year.”
Meanwhile Joanne Ashcroft, 49 and her partner Paul Clewes, 48, from Cheshire who also attended last year’s event said they have already booked to return to next year’s event.
“It’s just a brilliant event – the way it’s been organised is just fantastic and we love that everybody dresses up. “ Joanne said.
“The steam engines are a big draw for us but we could just sit along the prom for hours watching everything going on – there is something for everyone here. The bands have all been brilliant and the atmosphere is amazing.
“We’ve already booked to come back again next year.”
The marching band which stomped and banged through the town was a big draw for many, as well as the old steam engines and classic vehicles on Mostyn Street.
Up to 1,000 traditional vehicles are also expected to take part in a road run at 6pm, taking a tour of Conwy via Llanrhos and Deganwy.
Andrew Scarratt of the Llandudno and Colwyn Bay Tramway Society showed visitors around an old tram which originally transported passengers from Llandudno to Colwyn Bay from the 1920s until 1956.
He said:“We’ve had people here from all over the worlds, even from as far as New Zealand and Canada. You don’t get this kind of event anywhere else in the world really.
“It’s been a fantastic day and we’re really looking forward to the rest of the weekend.”
The Llandudno Victorian Extravaganza and Transport Festival will run until Monday, May 1.
