The Lord Mayor's Celebration is here and as usual I'm like an excited kid on Christmas Day – I just love the event.

Although born in Norwich I grew up (whisper it) across the border in Suffolk, which meant that as a child I only attended the celebration once or twice.

But many years later it remains one of my happiest and most vivid memories from childhood – all that colour, noise and commotion.

I'm someone who is proud of everything this fine city is and offers its residents and the Lord Mayor's Celebration plays a big part in that.

Elsewhere in the country events such as these have faded away as budget cuts take hold and people seemingly have less of a desire to attend them.

Yet we are so lucky in Norwich that the weekend not only remains alive and kicking – but actually keeps getting bigger and better.

Hopefully its success is a sign that Norwich has managed to maintain some of the sense of community that other areas have lost.

I also think it's worth praising Norwich City Council for the part it has played in ensuring it remains both on the calendar and free to attend.

As budgets tightened, it would have been easy for the council to put it on the list of non-essentials, run it down or even find a way to charge spectators or those involved. I can assure you that this paper will be on hand to make sure that doesn't happen – not that we have any reason to think it would.

While the procession remains a highlight, it's been good to see efforts made over the last few years to make this a true weekend-long event for the family.

The number of attractions on offer this year is staggering and I would recommend going along to Chapelfield Gardens later today to catch the brilliant funk band Killamonjambo. They are excellent live.

It's a shame that this year The Norwich Lanes Summer Fayre will not be on the calendar. But who knows? Maybe it will be back next year and we'll find a break has done it some good. That said, there remain some good events tomorrow, so fingers crossed for good weather across both days this weekend.

Over the last two years I've been able to enjoy a different perspective on the procession, as part of the Evening News and EDP float.

It's fascinating to see it 'from the inside', a real blur of noises, voices and faces, young and old.

I'd wholeheartedly recommend the experience of being involved in a float to anyone.

Whatever angle you will be enjoying the procession from, I hope you have a great time and the weather stays dry and sunny.

Please make sure you buy Monday's Evening News to see if you can spot yourself in our 12-page supplement special.

Above all, whatever you get up to, please do have a wonderful day.

• Look out for our 28-page preview of the celebrations in Saturday's Evening News and a 12-page souvenir supplement in Monday's Evening News brought to you in association with Potters Resort

• Tweet us your photos and videos from the weekend using the hashtag #LMC16