Rhyl turned out in force today as the 135th Rhyl Carnival delivered a blazing, joy-filled Saturday - even with last-minute changes caused by the heatwave.
In blistering sunshine, families lined the streets to welcome the annual parade and soak up one of the town’s longest-running community traditions.
The soaring temperatures meant the dog show and other animal attractions were cancelled for safety, with organisers urging caution in the extreme heat.
But the setback didn’t dampen the mood.
Crowds arrived armed with hats, water bottles and plenty of suncream, determined to make the most of a classic Rhyl summer’s day.
One of the standout moments was the parade through the town, which set off from Foryd Bridge at midday.
The procession featured emergency services, theatre and dance groups, youth organisations, and the young queens and princesses, and their court, taking part in the traditional Parade of Queens
The route followed its familiar path through the town, over Vale Road bridge and into Coronation Gardens, where the carnival field was already buzzing with early visitors.
Once the parade arrived, the field burst fully into life.
Fair rides, stalls, food vendors, bouncy castles and live performances carried the carnival’s “fun in the sun” theme right through the afternoon.
Free children’s entertainment kept families busy, while competitions, games and music created a festival atmosphere across the park.
The Parade of Queens took place shortly after 2pm, followed by the Queen’s Competition, drawing big crowds to one of the carnival’s most cherished traditions.
Despite the heat, today’s Rhyl Carnival proved once again why it remains such a beloved part of the town’s summer calendar.
With colour, community spirit and sunshine from start to finish, the 135th year celebrations felt every bit as vibrant as the generations before them.
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