On Saturday, over 50 stalls promoted businesses based in the town centre or independent businesses from Dunmow and the surrounding villages.
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Among the varied food and drink options, MasterChef winner Alex Webb was in hot demand - for photos and for his seafood BBQ offering lobster and tempura prawns alongside glasses of champagne.
There was live music, dance group displays, face painting and festival hair, and the fire brigade and police were also in attendance.
Rachael Clark, chair of Great Dunmow Town Team, said: "It was so wonderful to see our town coming out to support and enjoy LOCAL.
"As chair, I was extremely proud to have organised this event. Myself and the core team spent many hours of hard work to put this together and can’t wait for more events in future."
MasterChef winner Alex Webb said: "It was good fun. I didn't even get to see any of the stalls - I had a queue for photographs and a queue for lobster!
"It was good to see the town nice and busy again.
"It was a good atmosphere, everyone was having fun."
Nikki Anthony from independent fashion boutique Wardrobe said: "It was a really good day. We had lots of people who had not been into the town before. Everyone seemed to enjoy just being out.
"It was a good job done by the town team. It had a really lovely vibe."
Mayor Patrick Lavelle said: "It was wonderful to see so many people out and enjoying themselves.
"Our local businesses really rose to the occasion.
"From bratwurst to lobster, coffee to champagne, we had it all.
"We were also entertained by many talented local musicians who kept us smiling all afternoon.
"Enormous thanks to Rachael Clark and the Great Dunmow Town Team for putting the Summer Market together and organising such a superb day.
"We still have lots of fun things coming up in Dunmow with regular free concerts in the town square featuring local musicians, the Delightful Dunmow photography competition and on September 4, the auditions for the new Town Crier."
In pictures: Great Dunmow's Summer Market 2021
Great Dunmow Mayor Patrick Lavelle opens the Summer Market (Image: Saffron Photo 2021)
Members of Bounce Dunmow and Flitch Green show off their moves for Great Dunmow's Summer Market (Image: Saffron Photo 2021)
Members of Bounce Dunmow and Flitch Green put on a display at Great Dunmow's Summer Market (Image: Saffron Photo 2021)
Members of Bounce Dunmow and Flitch Green put on a display at Great Dunmow's Summer Market (Image: Saffron Photo 2021)
Fun and music at the Great Dunmow Summer Market (Image: Saffron Photo 2021)
Live music at Great Dunmow's Summer Market (Image: Saffron Photo 2021)
Music at Great Dunmow's Summer Market (Image: Saffron Photo 2021)
A performance at Great Dunmow's Summer Market (Image: Saffron Photo 2021)
There was lots of live entertainment at Great Dunmow Summer Market (Image: Saffron Photo 2021)
Face painting fun at the Great Dunmow Summer Market (Image: Saffron Photo 2021)
Face painting fun at Great Dunmow Summer Market (Image: Saffron Photo 2021)
Face painting fun at Great Dunmow Summer Market (Image: Saffron Photo 2021)
Fun festival hair outside Rudhair at Great Dunmow Summer Market (Image: Saffron Photo 2021)
Support for Great Dunmow's Summer Market (Image: Saffron Photo 2021)
The shun shone on Great Dunmow Summer Market (Image: Saffron Photo 2021)
There was lots on offer at Great Dunmow Summer Market (Image: Saffron Photo 2021)
Members of Dunmow Tae Kwon-Do at Great Dunmow Summer Market (Image: Saffron Photo 2021)
That outfit might be too big for a while! Fun at Great Dunmow's Summer Market with Essex County Fire and Rescue Service (Image: Saffron Photo 2021)
A line of people waiting for face painting and glitter at Great Dunmow's Summer Market (Image: Saffron Photo 2021)
Food was popular at Great Dunmow Summer Market (Image: Saffron Photo 2021)
Staff at Trott & Whinny in a converted vintage horse box at Great Dunmow Summer Market (Image: Saffron Photo 2021)
Lots of lovely food on offer at Great Dunmow's Summer Market (Image: Saffron Photo 2021)
Time for a group photo at Great Dunmow Summer Market (Image: Saffron Photo 2021)
De La Terre and MasterChef winner Alex Webb at the Great Dunmow Summer Market (Image: Saffron Photo 2021)
Inside De La Terre natural wine bar at 16 Dunmow High Street, Great Dunmow (Image: Saffron Photo 2021)
Nikki Anthony, owner of fashion boutique Wardrobe at 20 High Street, Great Dunmow (Image: Saffron Photo 2020)
Wardrobe was doing a roaring trade at the Great Dunmow Summer Market (Image: Saffron Photo 2021)
Rudhair was giving festival hair makeovers during Great Dunmow Summer Market (Image: Saffron Photo 2021)
Taking part in the Summer Market at The Shopkeeper Store, Great Dunmow (Image: Saffron Photo 2021)
Time for a cup of tea at Meadow Hill coffee shop and deli, Great Dunmow, on Summer Market day (Image: Saffron Photo 2021)
A customer in The Rose Garden in High Street, Great Dunmow (Image: Saffron Photo 2021)
Owner Heather of Heather B Designs The Jewellers at 12 High Street, Great Dunmow (Image: Saffron Photo 2021)
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