The first fossil fuel-free Lord Mayor's procession in Norwich still managed to get the crowds revved up.

Eastern Daily Press: The Lord Mayors Procession 2019. Picture: Jamie HoneywoodThe Lord Mayors Procession 2019. Picture: Jamie Honeywood (Image: Jamie HoneywoodArchantNorwichNorfolk)

Life-sized elephant and dinosaur puppets, dance troupes and community organisations took to the streets on foot in the new-look procession on Saturday evening.

Eastern Daily Press: The Lord Mayors Procession 2019. Picture: Jamie HoneywoodThe Lord Mayors Procession 2019. Picture: Jamie Honeywood (Image: Jamie HoneywoodArchantNorwichNorfolk)

This year's theme was "love the world around you", with groups in the parade touting the importance of protecting the oceans and making Norfolk more bee-friendly, as well as a group of Extinction Rebellion campaigners who chanted their environmental message to the crowds.

Eastern Daily Press: The Lord Mayors Procession 2019. Picture: Jamie HoneywoodThe Lord Mayors Procession 2019. Picture: Jamie Honeywood (Image: Jamie HoneywoodArchantNorwichNorfolk)

READ MORE: All you need to know about Lord Mayor's Celebration 2019

Eastern Daily Press: The Lord Mayors Procession 2019. Picture: Jamie HoneywoodThe Lord Mayors Procession 2019. Picture: Jamie Honeywood (Image: Jamie HoneywoodArchantNorwichNorfolk)

The Lord Mayor of Norwich made his traditional appearance, waving to the gathered spectators from the front of the procession in full regalia.

Eastern Daily Press: The town crier gets the Lord Mayors Procession underway. Picture: Jamie HoneywoodThe town crier gets the Lord Mayors Procession underway. Picture: Jamie Honeywood (Image: Jamie HoneywoodArchantNorwichNorfolk)

A small group in the procession drew attention to the Windrush generation scandal, which sent shock waves across the country in 2018, with their large puppets.

Eastern Daily Press: The Lord Mayors Procession 2019. Picture: Jamie HoneywoodThe Lord Mayors Procession 2019. Picture: Jamie Honeywood (Image: Jamie HoneywoodArchantNorwichNorfolk)

Despite the cloudy weather and earlier rain showers the pavements from St Stephens Street to Tombland were lined with people and families soaking up the atmosphere.

Eastern Daily Press: The Lord Mayors Procession 2019. Picture: Jamie HoneywoodThe Lord Mayors Procession 2019. Picture: Jamie Honeywood (Image: Jamie HoneywoodArchantNorwichNorfolk)

While many understood and supported Norwich City Council's eco-conscious decision to ban petrol and diesel-powered vehicles from the procession this year, some were not so convinced by the change.

Eastern Daily Press: The Lord Mayors Procession 2019. Picture: Jamie HoneywoodThe Lord Mayors Procession 2019. Picture: Jamie Honeywood (Image: Jamie HoneywoodArchantNorwichNorfolk)

Paula Moppett, 56, said: "It is ridiculous. I think that is why a lot of people have not turned up - I know some of it is the weather but people say it is not going to be the same. I only came to see the difference."

Eastern Daily Press: Vaughan Thomas, Lord Mayor of Norwich, with Dr Marian Prinsley, Sheriff of Norwich, during the Lord Mayors Procession 2019. Picture: Jamie HoneywoodVaughan Thomas, Lord Mayor of Norwich, with Dr Marian Prinsley, Sheriff of Norwich, during the Lord Mayors Procession 2019. Picture: Jamie Honeywood (Image: Jamie HoneywoodArchantNorwichNorfolk)

Despite the ban, some vehicles did make their way onto the parade route: a convoy of all-electric Teslas, showing off their gull wing doors.

Eastern Daily Press: The Lord Mayors Procession 2019. Picture: Jamie HoneywoodThe Lord Mayors Procession 2019. Picture: Jamie Honeywood (Image: Jamie HoneywoodArchantNorwichNorfolk)

Clare Hubery, Norwich City Council's events manager, said: "This year's procession has made history and we're delighted with everyone's creativity.

Eastern Daily Press: The Lord Mayors Procession 2019. Picture: Jamie HoneywoodThe Lord Mayors Procession 2019. Picture: Jamie Honeywood (Image: Jamie HoneywoodArchantNorwichNorfolk)

"We'd like to thank everyone that turned out, despite the weather, to support all of the groups taking part."

Eastern Daily Press: The Lord Mayors Procession 2019. Picture: Jamie HoneywoodThe Lord Mayors Procession 2019. Picture: Jamie Honeywood (Image: Jamie HoneywoodArchantNorwichNorfolk)

People worried the lorry ban could spell the end for the popular pirate ship float, a staple at the procession for the past decade.

Eastern Daily Press: The Lord Mayors Procession 2019. Picture: Jamie HoneywoodThe Lord Mayors Procession 2019. Picture: Jamie Honeywood (Image: Jamie HoneywoodArchantNorwichNorfolk)

But the group behind it, InTouch Systems, was allowed to keep the float in one place in Theatre Street for a pirate party before moving to St Stephens Street and Westlegate for a disco.

Eastern Daily Press: The Lord Mayors Procession 2019. Picture: Jamie HoneywoodThe Lord Mayors Procession 2019. Picture: Jamie Honeywood (Image: Jamie HoneywoodArchantNorwichNorfolk)

Eastern Daily Press: The Lord Mayors Procession 2019. Picture: Jamie HoneywoodThe Lord Mayors Procession 2019. Picture: Jamie Honeywood (Image: Jamie HoneywoodArchantNorwichNorfolk)

Eastern Daily Press: Jane Hedges, Dean of Norwich Cathedral, at the Lord Mayors Procession 2019. Picture: Jamie HoneywoodJane Hedges, Dean of Norwich Cathedral, at the Lord Mayors Procession 2019. Picture: Jamie Honeywood (Image: Jamie HoneywoodArchantNorwichNorfolk)

Eastern Daily Press: The Lord Mayors Procession 2019. Picture: Jamie HoneywoodThe Lord Mayors Procession 2019. Picture: Jamie Honeywood (Image: Jamie HoneywoodArchantNorwichNorfolk)

Eastern Daily Press: The Lord Mayors Procession 2019. Picture: Jamie HoneywoodThe Lord Mayors Procession 2019. Picture: Jamie Honeywood (Image: Jamie HoneywoodArchantNorwichNorfolk)

Eastern Daily Press: The Lord Mayors Procession 2019. Picture: Jamie HoneywoodThe Lord Mayors Procession 2019. Picture: Jamie Honeywood (Image: Jamie HoneywoodArchantNorwichNorfolk)

Eastern Daily Press: The Lord Mayors Procession 2019. Picture: Jamie HoneywoodThe Lord Mayors Procession 2019. Picture: Jamie Honeywood (Image: Jamie HoneywoodArchantNorwichNorfolk)

Eastern Daily Press: The Lord Mayors Procession 2019. Picture: Jamie HoneywoodThe Lord Mayors Procession 2019. Picture: Jamie Honeywood (Image: Jamie HoneywoodArchantNorwichNorfolk)

Eastern Daily Press: The Lord Mayors Procession 2019. Picture: Jamie HoneywoodThe Lord Mayors Procession 2019. Picture: Jamie Honeywood (Image: Jamie HoneywoodArchantNorwichNorfolk)

Eastern Daily Press: The Lord Mayors Procession 2019. Picture: Jamie HoneywoodThe Lord Mayors Procession 2019. Picture: Jamie Honeywood (Image: Jamie HoneywoodArchantNorwichNorfolk)

Eastern Daily Press: The Lord Mayors Procession 2019. Picture: Jamie HoneywoodThe Lord Mayors Procession 2019. Picture: Jamie Honeywood (Image: Jamie HoneywoodArchantNorwichNorfolk)

Eastern Daily Press: The Lord Mayors Procession 2019. Picture: Jamie HoneywoodThe Lord Mayors Procession 2019. Picture: Jamie Honeywood (Image: Jamie HoneywoodArchantNorwichNorfolk)