A colourful cavalcade of sights and sounds brightened a drab, dull rainy Saturday as the Caribbean Carnival took to the city's streets this afternoon.
The hundreds of dancers, some as young as three, looked bedraggled but not bowed as the carnival procession wound its way from Victoria Park through the city centre.
The rain, which came down for most of the hour-long parade didn't deter crowds who came out in their thousands to watch.
Others stood in the wet, as if in solidarity with the dancers soaked to the skin in their skimpy outfits.
But the sun appeared in time for the thousands who flocked to Victoria Park in the parade's wake ready to enjoy an afternoon and evening of music, dance and food.
The theme of this year's carnival was a celebration of the life of Nelson Mandela, who died last year.
South African flags, portraits of Mandela and slogans of support were evident throughout the procession.
Among those in the parade were the 60-strong Vibrant Warriors, based at the Afro Caribbean Centre, in Highfields, Leicester, whose ages ranged from five to 37.Their headgear bore the single word "Freedom".
Leader and dance instructor Angela Parkes said: "Our group stands for unity, love, freedom and diversity and we are proud to remember Nelson Mandela today."
Dancer Shannon Flavin, 11, of Eyres Monsell, Leicester, said:"I just wanted to be here today to show people what we can do."
Jessica Tebbutt, 11, of the group, who made her own outfit, said: "It's my first time and I am excited to be here."
Around 100 dancers from Essential Rejuvenation and New Force, who come from Braunstone Town and Beaumont Leys were also in the parade.
Krystal Shepherd, 31, of the group, said: "We love being here and the rain cooled us down a bit when we were dancing."
Another local dance group, The Klik, reunited for this year's carnival after disbanding eight years ago as its members drifted away to college, university and work.
Vanessa Francis, 44, who was the carnival queen in 1997, said:"There are about 40 of us, aged from three to 44 and the clothes the children of different ages are wearing represent the different stages of Mandela's life, farming, his tribe and others wearing prison outfits to represent his years spent in jail."
Group member Uriah Williams, 11, of Leicester, said: "It's exciting, I've been looking forward to the day and going around Leicester."
Shaznay Dobson, 10, also of Leicester, said: "I've been looking forward to having fun and seeing what other people were wearing."
Before the parade set off from Granville Road City Mayor Sir Peter Soulsby said: "Mandela himself would have felt this carnival to be a fitting and moving tribute."
Bystander, pensioner Christine Reynolds, from Loughborough, said; "I think it's marvellous, all the different people and cultures taking part, it's a really nice atmosphere and a bit of the Caribbean on your doorstep."
Jim Baker, 42, of Aylestone, Leicester, said: "It's one of the highlights of the year and people dancing despite the rain just shows the Leicester spirit - just get on with it."
Henry Warren, 35, of Leicester, said: "It's something really exciting for Leicester, I come every year. I watch the floats go by, pick my favourite one and follow it."
Ann Walker, of Knighton, Leicester, said: "It's amazing, brilliant, it's like the sort of thing you see on TV from Notting Hill.I don't know how they keep their energy levels up."
Chief Superintendent Stuart Prior, the officer in charge of policing the carnival, said:"It's been a lovely colourful, musical event so far ins spite of the weather and now the sun's out for people to enjoy the food, music and dancing on the park."
After the parade the £3 entrance fee to the park - brought in for the first time since a cut in funding by Leicester City Council - was waived. Caribbean Carnival Committee chairman Dennis "Sugar" Christopher said: "We wanted to make sure people came to the park because of the bad weather and we had a few complaints from stallholders about the numbers in the park. "People had come prepared to pay and when we waived the fee we asked for donations instead and people were putting in £5 and £10 notes.But I don't want people thinking the same will happen next year. "I would like to thank all the agencies who were involved, those who took part in the parade in the rain and all the people that came to support us."
