PENARTH’S summer festival and famous downhill derby event took place Saturday, July 13, and most incredible of all, it didn’t rain!

There was family filled fun and laughter all along the esplanade from midday through the afternoon with food stalls, rides, live music, a sauna and the downhill derby race.

Busy day at Penarth's summer festival 2024Busy day at Penarth's summer festival 2024 (Image: Newsquest)

The family fun event was a real hitThe family fun event was a real hit (Image: Newsquest)

Finally families could enjoy the festival after last year's event had to be cancelledFinally families could enjoy the festival after last year's event had to be cancelled (Image: Newsquest)

The event, put on by Penarth Town Council, went off without a hitch apart from a crash in the racing section of the derby which abruptly ended the event – more on that, click here.

The business end of the event - the downhill derby!The business end of the event - the downhill derby! (Image: Newsquest)

Racers rocketed down the hillRacers rocketed down the hill (Image: Newsquest)

And tackled the jumps!And tackled the jumps! (Image: Newsquest)

Watch teams tackle 'Damon Hill' during the Downhill Derby

Music was provided by The Real John Lewis, Stonehouse Collective, No Thee No Ess and Wonderbrass, while also making a welcome return to the Esplanade was the Dawnstalkers’ woodfired sauna.

The Dawnstalkers were thereThe Dawnstalkers were there (Image: Newsquest)

And Senna and Narla with their ownersAnd Senna and Narla with their owners (Image: Newsquest)

Watch the video below of someone taking on a jump at the Downhill Derby

The setting could not be better for a summer festival with the stunning pier and calm waters of the Bristol Channel creating an atmospheric setting for the event – there was even the casual water-skier being pulled along by a speedboat going back and forth in the background – ahhh Perfect Penarth.

There was face paintingThere was face painting (Image: Newsquest)

Live musicLive music (Image: Newsquest)

And some serious stunts!And some serious stunts! (Image: Newsquest)

The Jones' enjoyed themselvesThe Jones' enjoyed themselves (Image: Newsquest)

As did many who attended the eventAs did many who attended the free event (Image: Newsquest)

For the Downhill Derby, you could move up Cliff Hill (renamed Damon Hill for the day) with some many spectators lining the pavement to see the kart teams in action.

Pure racing drama in Penarth's Downhill Derby in the video below:

It was long overdue that the people of Penarth were able to enjoy the town’s summer festival next to the pier after last year’s event had to be cancelled at last minute due to bad weather.

Got a story in Penarth? Email harry.jamshidian@newsquest.co.uk.