WINCHESTER High Street was packed for the city’s first princess parade.
Scores of mini princes and princesses waited in line to meet their favourite characters, with Ariel, Elsa, Anna, Snow White, Sleeping Beauty, Rapunzel, Belle and Cinderella singing Disney classics and posing for pictures.
After a busy meet and greet by the Buttercross, the princesses paraded down the High Street for their next stop at Abbey Gardens for even more sing-a-longs.
@hampshire_chronicle Winchester High Street was transported to a whole new world 🎵 Mini princes and princesses filled the High Street for the chance to meet their favourite characters 👸
♬ Only One on Earth - Lo Lauren
READ MORE: Princess Parade coming to Winchester on August 24
Sabrina Gardener was there with her daughter and friends. She said: “We are so excited and will definitely be back if it happens again. It’s great for the children.
“The girls have been so excited that they’ve been trying to get their dresses on all morning. The dresses aren’t new, they already had wardrobes full of outfits.”
Lizzie Kessler jumped at the chance to take her grandchildren to meet their Disney heroes. She said: “The turnout is fantastic. I’m really disappointed they’re not performing from the steps of the Buttercross so more people could see.
“We’re eager to get some more photos with the princesses. There are fewer boys but there are some which is really important.”
Jacob Hodgkiss, from Harestock, went all out for the event, dressing up as Woody from Toy Story. He said: “I’m a huge Disney fan so I decided to dress up for the day and get my guitar out.
“The princesses have been very welcoming. I’ve had people coming up to me saying ‘hey it’s Woody’ and wanting pictures with me too.”
If you didn't know it was happening, you would have been in for a shock passing through #Winchester High Street !
— Adele Bouchard (@adele_bouchard) August 24, 2023
Tons of mini princes and princesses got to meet their favourite characters for the city's first #PrincessParade 👸 pic.twitter.com/fQke8oOMhF
SEE ALSO: Young artists' exhibition of High Street shops to raise money for heartfelt charity
Charlotte Lilly and her daughters “were super excited”. Charlotte, from Eastleigh, said: “We’ve got lots of photos and autographs. It’s been amazing and really well organised.
“The girls have really enjoyed it and that’s the main thing. They’ve loved all the dancing.
“I was not expecting it to be this busy, it’s nice for Winchester to get some money into the High Street.”
Director of the show, Anna Tucker, hopes to make it a yearly phenomenon. Speaking ahead of the Thursday, August 24 show, she said: "After several very successful parades in Kent, Berkshire and London I’m so excited to be bringing the Snow Princess magic to Winchester this year.”
“Our aim is to bring some magic, love and joy to little ones and give them an unforgettable experience right on their doorstep.”
Click on the top image to see the gallery of images from the parade.
For more information go to snowprincess.co.uk/.
Additional reporting by Rosie Farmer.
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 here