About 4,000 people attended the jewel in the crown of the opening weekend of the Norfolk and Norwich Festival, the dinosaur petting zoo.

Extra shows had to be added on both days in Chapelfield Gardens, as families flocked to a garden party full of free weird and wonderful entertainment from more than 15 acts.

But it was Erth Visual and Physical Inc's dinosaur petting zoo, which has been brought across from Australia, which proved particularly popular.

The festival's artistic director, William Galinsky, said: 'It's been a crazy weekend. The dinosaur petting zoo has been amazing. There were 4,000 on Saturday and I think as many today [Sunday].

It is the first time this has come to the UK and we're now taking it to nine primary schools around Norfolk and two days on Millennium Plain, so many thousands of children are going to have seen it.

'It's been so exciting to see so many people enjoying it.'

There was also the opportunity to see the daredevil trick cycling show, Tandem, the musical show Search and Find and a group of charlatans creating a dish from unusual ingredients, La Cuisine Macabre.

While the World Famous Rubberband Boy Extravaganza also delighted the crowds with his acts of facial contortion and pogo-stick. Mr Galinsky added: 'I think the English always half expect it to rain so I was surprised to not see more people with their tops off with the weather being much nicer. But the entire garden party, and particularly the dinosaur petting zoo, had a real family atmosphere.'

The dinosaur petting zoo will return to Norwich tomorrow and Wednesday, outside The Forum from 4.30pm.

We want to see your photos and stories from this year's festival – and we have the perfect platform to make it as easy as possible for you to share your favourite photos and videos. We have created a special Norfolk and Norwich Festival section at www.iwitness24.co.uk, which can also be downloaded as a free smartphone app for iPhone or Android, so that you can share your photos and video while you are out and about.

Are you holding an event in Norwich? Contact reporter David Freezer on 01603 772418 or david.freezer@archant.co.uk