SUMMER just wouldn’t be summer without a festival.

And on Sunday thousands got into the festival spirit as they flocked to Moss Bank Park to enjoy the popular Party in the Park ­— complete with music, street food and fun and games for all the family.

Now in its sixth year, the event was billed as the biggest and best yet ­— and the weather couldn’t have been more perfect.

Matt Gorton, event co-ordinator, said: “It was the busiest Party in the Park we have had. We had 7,000 people come to the event.”

Throughout the day, families enjoyed the fun of inflatable attractions, street food ­— everything from pizza, barbecue and Greek dishes ­— and the highlight of the day was live music performances by local bands and primary school children.

There were also over 30 stalls and funfair attractions for everyone to enjoy.

This year, for the first time ever, there was a special sensory tent for people with additional needs, which was used by families throughout the day.

The concert opened with an open-air celebration service.

That was followed by BOOM, Coptic Choir, African drums, Johnson Fold School Choir, Midweek Sax, Church Road Primary School, Climb the Mountain, St Peter’s Smithills Dean, Nabeel’s Bangar Music, and Bolton All Starz, before a Song of Praise Finale.

Party in the Park is organised by a group of volunteers connected with St Peter’s Church, Halliwell, to put on an event for all the family.

“The fundraising for all the activities was done before the event so the event was free to the community,” said Matt, “This is something the church does to give something to the community and reach out to the community. A family day out can be quite expensive so we wanted to put something on for the local community.”

He added: “The event is run by volunteers, and we had 100 volunteers on the day, they were amazing.”

He added: “The group will be taking a break next year to reflect on the event which has been the biggest so far but it will be back in 2021.”