BLUE skies, sunshine and a big crowd welcomed the return of Toft Hill and Etherley Village Fete on Saturday.
Like many other fun days, carnivals and other events across the dale, this was the first time the fete had been staged since 2019.
Organisers were delighted with the way the event went, with plenty to bring a smile to the faces of young and old.
There was a fancy dress competition for all ages which was followed by a popular dog show.
Away from the arena there was a host of other activities.
Children enjoyed meeting and feeding a small herd of friendly alpacas and there were more cute creatures to get up close to brought along by Animals About Town mobile petting zoo.
Thomas the Tank Engine offered rides around the recreation field and there was much glitter at the face painting stall.
New this year – and proving popular – were a couple of bouncy castles and entertainment came from the Sound Waves Community Choir, from just down the road in Bishop Auckland.
Organisers were delighted to welcome the choir after it had proved such a hit at the 2019 fete.
Helping the afternoon go with a swing were presenters from Prince Bishops Hospital Radio.
Inside the marquee were a number of stalls.
Community groups included St Cuthbert’s Messy Church and the Toft Hill and Etherley WI. For history buffs, volunteers were out to explain Etherley’s place in the birth of the railways as part of the Darlington and Stockton line.
