Wave-skipping powers boats, live music, and traditional tea parties helped kick-start Waveney's Jubilee celebrations.

In the first of four days of events, people enjoyed street parties and fetes, while someone dressed up as the Queen to mark her 60th year on the throne.

In Lowestoft, a crowd gathered at Claremont Pier to watch the Thundercat powerboats as they put on a series of adrenaline-filled races.

Organisers described it 'washing-machine-like' conditions as racers spent the day navigating a circular route over choppy waves.

Event officer Fiona Pascoe, 47, said: 'The community has really got behind us and they are welcome to come and join us over the next few days.'

Traders at The Triangle market place were given a boost as more than 100 people enjoyed a day-long concert.

The Jubilee Music Festival Summer Bash 2012 was organised to coincide with the Queen's Diamond Jubilee to make people aware of businesses in that area.

The event began with a performance by Wrentham Brass Band at 11am, before dance groups took over with energetic performances.

Later in the afternoon, Lowestoft singer-songwriter Ria Ritchie, touted as the next 'big thing', entertained more than hundred people with her popular mix of covers and original songs.

She said: 'Recently I have been spending a lot of time in London, so it is nice to come back to Lowestoft and see some familiar faces in the crowd.

'I have always had a good following in Lowestoft– everyone has always been really supportive.'

Speaking about the benefits of the Jubilee Music Festival, chairman of Lowestoft's High Street Traders, Danny Steel, said it helped show people what the Triangle market had to offer.

He said: 'It is great to get as many people as we have down in this area. We have a 100 business up here, and it shows it can be used for these kind of events.'

Matt Goddard, owner of Picture Studios, helped organise the event. He said: 'It has been an amazing turn out, and we have achieved what we set out to do – promote this part of the High Street.'

Meanwhile, Heather Dennett was turning heads on the High Street when she was transformed into a spitting image of the young Queen.

The 23-year-old sat in the window of the store Sew Fabric – much to the surprise of passing shoppers.

At lunchtime, she ventured out in her shimmering yellow gown to pose for photographs in the street.

The idea, and deft-needlework, came from Kate Langran who owns the haberdashery.

The 38-year-old from Lowestoft said the shop often has life models in the window, but this occasion was special as they created the golden gown with all nine emblems of the British Commonwealth.

Elsewhere on Milton Road East, about 100 people enjoyed fancy dressand a host of stalls and games when they joined in a mad hatter's tea party at the Mencap's Unity Centre.

Chair of the centre Jac Guyton, 48, who has lived in Lowestoft for 25 years, said: 'We wanted to celebrate the day, so we decided to come up with something that had a royal flavour – and was also a little bit mad.

'Members have been making decorations, outfits, and raising money to keep the centre going.'

In Kessingland, villagers marked the occasion with a tree planting.

The special oak tree had been grown by 11-year-old Amy Bullard to help celebrate the Queen's Diamond Jubilee.

And residents of Hopelyn Close in Lowestoft marked the day with a street party.