More than 400 people played table tennis over five hours in a busy Brighton square.
Among those taking part was the mayor of Brighton and Hove, Councillor Lynda Hyde.
She marked the start of Ping! 2015 in Jubilee Square by pitching her skills against chefs from the neighbouring Chilli Pickle restaurant in a frying pan championship.
Junior mayor Wednesday Croft took to the free table as well – one of 34 across Brighton and Hove during the eight weeks of Ping!
Brighton Table Tennis Club has organised the festival with help from Table Tennis England and Brighton and Hove City Council.
Anyone can play for free. Bats and balls are available from cafés near many of the tables.
Among the many events running during Ping! are sessions for over 50s at Marina Square and Ping! Social Nights at the Bandstand.
Last summer 42,000 games of table tennis were played over six weeks on outdoor tables around Brighton and Hove.
Brighton Table Tennis Club trustee Tim Holtom said: “The Ping! 2015 launch was the best we’ve ever had.
“It was an amazing community event of free street ping pong and confirms Brighton and Hove’s position as one of UK’s the leading table tennis communities.
“The Ping! Brighton and Hove team would like to thank Chilli Pickle and Marrocco’s for their sponsorship and all those that volunteered their time to help out at the event.”
For more information about table locations and events, visit http://www.pingbrightonandhove.co.uk.
