The appeal of Nottingham's Pagan Pride has hit Stateside with revellers coming from America to take part in the sixth annual festival.
From belly-dancing to talks on Norse mythology the event, held at the Arboretum on Sunday August 3, was bursting with stalls, talks and workshops to educate and entertain.
Hundreds of people flocked to the free festival which promotes the accurate and positive image of paganism and is the biggest event of its kind in the UK.
It was the third time that New Jersey resident Lisa Banwell, 64, had been to Pagan Pride.
She said: "I love the lectures they put on, the shopping and the morris dancing too.
"I love Nottingham, people say to me, 'are you going back to England again?' or 'I've been to England, I love London' and I just laugh."
The event, which is held every year on the first Sunday in August, started off life as a picnic gathering at The Forest recreation ground in 2009 – with around 80 people turning up.
Gavin Street, 23, of Sneinton, was taking part in Pagan Pride for the first time.
The Annie's Burger Shack chef said: "There's been some great stalls and my missus is doing the belly-dancing so I'm here to support her.
"It's my first time here, it just seems to have exploded in popularity.
"I'm looking forward to a going to a talk about Norse mythology, I think that should be really interesting."
Hundreds of pagan supporters had gathered in Old Market Square at 10.30am for a parade to the Arboretum in a bid to raise awareness and for Pagan Pride.
Stalls selling flower garlands, incense, jewellery and even homemade mead, lined the paths of the Arboretum while musicians and speakers entertained on the bandstand.
Robin Hood made an appearance with the Spirit of England living history display.
Archeologist Dr David Underhill was on hand to explain the significance of a treasure trove of replica medieval items, including arrows, furs and helmets.
He said: "Robin Hood, although very much a Christian, has perceived links to paganism. This was widely explored in the Robin of Sherwood TV series which made much of the Herne the Hunter mythology."
In English folklore, Herne the Hunter is a ghost with antlers upon his head who is most associated with Windsor Forest.
Did you go to Pagan Pride? Tell us what you thought: newsdesk@nottinghampost.com
