BENARTY Gala was cut short as the heavens opened but the dreich weather failed to take smiles off faces.

Benarty Events Group (BEG) came up trumps for the area once again by hosting the family fun day at Lochore Meadows.

Volunteers spent two days setting up the field for the event and BEG ensured that every nursery and primary school child got a free gala ticket which entitled them to a gala box, drink and ride ticket. Tickets were also sold at local outlets for £3.50.

“This year the gala box order put into Baynes was 3,500," said chairman Eddie Easson.

The day started early with the parade being prepared from 9am and the parade had a record turnout with 11 floats, three pipe bands, majorettes, stilt walkers, a Chinese snake troupe and various other group taking part.

The parade was marshalled by an army of volunteers and hundreds of people lined the streets to cheer.

When the parade arrived, the kids made a beeline for the show ride area and the gala box distribution "went like clockwork".

As always there was a surplus of boxes which were handed out round the community.

Kelty Brass Band welcomed the parade with a "great performance" on the stage.

Benarty Citizen of the Year Sarah Morris and Junior Citizen of the Year Lennon Docherty cut the ribbon and declared the gala open.

Sadly, the dark clouds began to form and the rain was not far away.

The group kept the gala going for as long as possible but unfortunately it became too much and the gala was cut short.

“It was a heart-breaking decision to see the rain come after the brilliant sunshine we had all week but we had a fabulous parade, all the boxes got handed out and the kids got their show rides," said Eddie.

"So it wasn’t all bad."

The Benarty Events Group would like to thank everyone who helped out and also all the people that came and enjoyed a great day apart from the showers.