Add in a funfair, a rodeo bull, dog show, and numerous stalls and it was no surprise Wellholme Park was under siege.
The park was crammed with attractions and was like a sea of people with many lingering until late afternoon.
Executive secretary Andrew Taylforth boosted the musical offering with an impressive live show.
His daughter Sarah Taylforth, a vocalist, and other artists who use Calder Recordings, Mytholmroyd – Crosscut Saw, Resonation, Cyclone Pink and Bucktooth Coolhands – gigged in the park.
And through those contacts Gabbidon, a top Birmingham reggae band, were persuaded to stay in Yorkshire following a Friday night gig in Leeds.
Basil Gabbidon, now 55, led his eight-strong band. In the 1970s he toured with some of the biggest names at the time.
"We put on a good package with the local bands and Gabbidon and we hope people enjoyed them," said Mr Taylforth.
Youngsters were drawn to "Bully's Barn" where dare-devils tried to stay on a rodeo bull.
Brighouse Rangers Juniors manned the tent and were rushed off their feet.
"It is very popular and has been non-stop," said Ian Crossland.
"The average time is around 30 seconds."
Another travelling attraction was "Cowboys on Wheels" who have been a regular feature in recent years and travel from the midlands.
The 14-strong group appear at public events to raise funds for the North Staffordshire Heart Committee.
Fast-draw displays were given in among shoot-out enactments.
"We have a theme but much of the show is ad-lib and we go down very well here," said Andrew Kerr.
"We really love this gala - it is one of the better ones we go to."
Gala Queen Cassandra Firth opened the gala and said she was a regular attender and glad to see it so busy.
Chairman Philip Poole said it had been a brilliant day.
"We have had some good stalls, not just tombola after tombola," he said.
"It was 4 pm before I started to see the odd people start to leave.
"We have tried to put on different things to interest people and I have been very pleased."
The dog show is growing in popularity and attracted 72 dogs and 188 entries.
Judge Lydia Brown said there was a good selection and some young handlers were very impressive.
The show had also been popular with the crowds with many people watching throughout the afternoon, she said.
Previously, the procession had set off from Finkil Street but in a bid to attract more walking groups it left from Garden Road which halved the distance to one-and-a-quarter miles.
Mr Taylforth said it was hoped the shorter route would encourage more children to take part.
He said it was increasingly difficult to attract vehicle floats and effort will be put into persuading more organisations to walk the shorter route in future years.
The procession included the Red Rose Jazz Band, Huddersfield and Ripponden Brass Band, Skelmanthorpe Youth Band, Diamond Gymanstic Display Team, Brighouse Star Twislers, Rastrick Crickettes, Stage Academy of Brighouse, Atomic Angels Dance Team, Central Brighouse Scout Group, Shenanigans Play Bus, Pulse Radio and a fire engine.


RESULTS
Fancy dress up to age four: Isabelle Crosswaite, aged two (Shirley Temple) and her mum, Sharon, (Mary Poppins). Age five to eight; Ben Rhodes, (pirate). Over nine years, Billy Hartley (Winnie the Pooh). Overall winner: Isabelle and Sharon Crosswaite.
Organisations: Downs Syndrome (Little Red Riding Hood). Youth: Lightcliffe Pre-School (Children of the World). Walking: 1, Central Scouts (Robin Hood); 2, Rastrick St John (Pirates); 3, St John Ambulance (Badgers).

DOG SHOW

Best in Show and best puppy: Alaskan malamute, Jenny Shorer, Leeds. Reserve in Show: English cocker spaniel, Ashley Barr, Huddersfield.

Any variety puppy: 1, Alaskan malamute, Jenny Shorer, Leeds; 2, German shepherd, Chris Mireki, Shipley; 3, Papillon, G. Collins, Halifax. Sporting: 1, Weimaraner, L. Yewdali, Bradford; 2, English cocker spaniel, Julie Barr, Huddersfield; 3, Greyhound, Dave Curran, Brighouse. Non-sporting: 1, Shetland sheepdog, Peter Savage, Bradford; 2, Papillon, G. Collins, Halifax; 3, Shiba Inu, Mr Bayliss, Wakefield. Open: 1, English cocker spaniel, Ashley Barr, Huddersfield; 2, Shetland sheepdog, Peter Savage, Bradford; 3, Border collie, Tina Ruston, Leeds.

Special rescue; 1, Greyhound, Dave Curran, Brighouse; 2, Crossbreed, Tori, Northowram; 3, Whippet cross, Angela Briggs, Bradford. Child handler, 1, Border collie, Gemma Ruston, Leeds; 2, English cocker spaniel, Ashley Barr, Huddersfield. Most appealing eyes: Beagle, Pauline Jenkins, Leeds; 2, English cocker spaniel, Julie Barr, Huddersfield; 3, Cavalier, Mrs Shelmerdine, Huddersfield. Veteran over seven years: 1, Lurcher, Amy, Heckmondwike; 2, Bearder collie, Roger Lockwood, Brighouse. Best cross breed: 1, Yvonne Davies, Bradford; 2, Jonathan Stewart, Liversedge; 3, Pauline Jenkins, Leeds. Handsome dog: 1, Staffordshire bull terrier, Charlie, Brighouse; 2, English cocker spaniel, Julie Barr, Huddersfield; 3, Cavalier, Mrs Shelmerdine, Huddersfield. Prettiest bitch: 1, Standard poodle, Zara, Brighouse; 2, Tibetan spaniel, Dan McGregor, Bradford; Chihuahua, Gaby Smith, Rastrick. Best condition: 1, Welsh springer spaniel, Vivien Charles, Leeds; 2 Cocker spaniel, Amy Newman, Brighouse; 3, Border collie, Tina Ruston, Leeds. Waggiest tail; 1, Welsh springer spaniel, Joseph Dunn, Lightcliffe; 2, Crossbreed, Nick, Rastrick; 3, Jack Russell, Sally Moore, Cleckheaton. Judge's favourite; 1, Beagle, Pauline Jenkins, Leeds; 2, Cocker spaniel, Any Newman, Brighouse; 3, Welsh springer spaniel, Joseph Dunn, Lightcliffe.