THE biggest event on Winchester’s cultural calendar is underway.

Winchester Hat Fair which will run from today to the end of Sunday, saw thousands of people brave torrential downpours to enjoy a variety of performances yesterday.

More than 60,000 people were expected to converge on Winchester for the three-day arts extravaganza to see more than 200 performances.

The festival, famous for its surreal street performances since 1974, is Britain's longest-running street theatre festival. On Friday there was a variety of performances including an urban astronaut 'space walking' 20 feet in the air, a roaming grass man, a masked audience and the UK premiere of a thrilling French dance performance.

Hampshire Chronicle:

Children from schools across the Winchester district also celebrated all things Roald Dahl during a parade through the city centre.

The schools taking part included Osborne School, Weeke Primary, Western Primary, Winnall Primary, St Faith's Primary, John Keble Primary, St Bede's, The Westgate School and Harestock Primary School.

Hundreds of people watched on as it started at Abbey Gardens and went up The Broadway, through the High Street and ended at Cathedral Outer Close.

Parent helper at John Keble Primary School in Hursley, Mrs Caroline Meech said: "I think they have really enjoyed it despite the weather, they have had a brilliant time and they were full of enthusiasm and could not wait to for it to start."

Also getting in on the action was Gieves and Hawkes Tailors in Winchester, which had a display of historic hats and uniforms dating back to the 18th century, which has been a hit with tourists.

Artistic director of Hat Fair, Michelle Walker is delighted with how Hat Fair has gone so far.

She said: "It is still very much going on and it is going very well, we had a few problems with the rain in the morning but we have settling into the swing of things.

Speaking about the variety of exciting performances and activities, Ms Walker added: "It is brilliant I have had my hair cut by a ten-year-old and we had a astronaut space walking through the streets 20 feet above peoples heads, and there was also the UK premiere of États des Lieux at the Great Hall."