COME rain or shine Devizes International Street Festival has been bringing fun and excitement to the market town since 1999.

But even the enthusiasm of the Devizes Outdoor Celebratory Events team could not beat coronavirus and its restrictions on large gatherings.

So instead of Devizes being turned over to the bizarre and the dangerous this Bank Holiday weekend people will have to wait until May 2 and 3 next year to enjoy the special antics that bring thousands out on to the streets.

But that does not stop us taking a look back over just a few of the photographs taken by Gazette photographers since the street festival was launched 21 years ago.

Artistic director Loz Samuels expressed her disappointment at this year’s event not being able to go ahead but promises much for next spring.

She said: “It is with great sadness that in the light of Government guidance we have taken the decision to cancel our summer’s events for 2020.

“It is not a decision we have taken lightly and our hearts go out to the artists who we know will have no work for many months, all the businesses that benefit from our events and the volunteers who are so dedicated to making them happen.”

The launch of the International Street Festival grew from the success of Devizes Carnival fortnight.

Until this year there had been a Carnival in Devizes every year, apart from a few few gaps for world wars, since 1912. Originally formed to raise money for the cottage hospital it soon became one of the most popular events in the town’s calendar with early parades reaching more than a mile long.

The International Street Festival was introduced in 1999 and has grown to become one of the biggest and most exciting free outdoor arts events in the South West.

The Devizes Christmas Festival and Lantern Parade was also added to the programme in 2004 and has again grown from children holding a few hand made lanterns to including giant creations in all shapes and sizes.

In 2014 the Devizes Festival of Winter Ales joined the list of DOCA events to help pay for other free entertainment.