The eventual relaxation of restrictions and increase in Covid vaccination uptake meant that more events could go ahead up and down the country this year and Northampton was no exception to this.
With the town's businesses opening back up came the iconic return of the Northampton Town Festival, the County Beer Festival, Pride and so much more. Many of these events were highly anticipated this year as they had to be cancelled in 2020 due to the pandemic.
Let's take a look back at some of the happiest times Northampton residents shared together in 2021:
9. The Harpole Scarecrow Festival
Harpole hosted its annual Scarecrow Festival on September 11 and 12 for the first time since 2019 after it was cancelled last year due to the coronavirus pandemic. There were a range of creative scarecrows, families enjoying entertainment, double decker bus rides and more.
10. The Northampton County Beer Festival
The Northampton County Beer Festival returned to Becket's Park in September to showcase its huge selection of cask ales, craft beer and cider. The festival took place over three days. Residents got to enjoy live music and sample over 100 specially selected cask ales, craft beer and bottled beer from a large collection of Northamptonshire breweries and many more up and down the country.
11. Prehistoric party with the dinosaurs in Northampton town centre
Dinosaurs roamed Northampton town centre for the first time in around 65 million years to entertain the public on Saturday, July 24 as part of Northampton Town Centre Business Improvement District's event.
12. Northampton Pride 2021
Northampton Pride 2021 received an 'overwhelming positive response' after last year's event had to be moved online. The parade began at the top of Abington Street at 11am and arrived at the Market Square around 15 minutes later, where a minute of noise opened the event.