THE scene was a far cry from the recent gloom of job losses as families celebrated at their annual steel gala on Sunday.
One of the area's biggest summer attractions, the Teesside Steel Family Gala, brought the usual crowds to Redcar Rugby Club.
The closure of the Lackenby coil plate mill, with the loss of more than 200 jobs, was countered by a procession through the town of floats featuring laughing children.
Based on themes ranging from Little Shop of Horrors to 101 Dalmations, the floats were created by local schools working with Corus plants.
Other attractions at the event were The Kangaroos Gymnastics Display Team, RAF parachute free fall team and a mega minis stunt show.
Comedy impersonators Laurel and Hardy provided laughs and there was an historical element in the form of The Midguard Marauders Viking re-enactment society.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereComments are closed on this article