KINGSTON Fun Day pulled in its biggest crowd to date last weekend as people flocked to the village from across the South Hams to enjoy the Wild West-themed event.

Inspired by people’s much-loved memories of the Kingston Village Fete, it was revived five years ago by Hayley Swain and a new team to preserve the traditional village celebrations while adding in the excitement of a free music festival.

The day was packed with entertainment laid on for all the family, including the ever-­popular dog show and the hotly contested tug of war. Central

to the ethos of the day is the provision free entertainment, particularly for children.

A children’s town was built in keeping with the Wild West theme, with games, a bouncy castle, face-painting and free drinks and sweets.

For those with a more developed taste, there was a Bays Brewery bar and a delicious hog roast, along with a vast selection of local traders’ craft stalls.

A selection of local charities also set up stalls, including the Kingston Reading Room, the St James the Less Church in Kingston and the local History Society, all receiving generous donations for their causes.

Music is a big part of Kingston Fun Day and the organisers worked hard to provide an eclectic mix of groups, which played all day and into the night.

Musicians travelled from across the south west, including Kingston four-piece The Cogs, who played an eclectic selection of covers, and the good-time country music of Plymouth’s Walnut Falcons. Headlining were Patrons, an accomplished alternative rock band from Plymouth boasting recent plays on BBC Radio 1.

Overall, Kingston Fun Day was the biggest, brightest and best yet. Organisers have ­covered their costs, with enough money left to invest in next year’s event.

Hayley said: ‘I’d like to thank everybody who volunteered, donated and helped to make the fun day such a huge success.

‘See you next year.’