More than 10,000 people turned out to hear Diana Vickers and Stooshe perform at the free Festival Too music festival in King's Lynn.
Thousands of people turned out for a fun-filled weekend of free entertainment at the Festival Too music festival in King's Lynn.
The event kicked off in style on Friday night with a top performance from former Pop Idol runner-up and West End show star Gareth Gates before circus act Transe Express performed their unconventional but popular dance routine suspended from a 75m crane in the Tuesday Market Place.
The stage was set for an even louder and better-attended show on Saturday evening, but some of the local bands due to take the stage could not wait that long, staging impromptu 'pop-up' gigs around the town centre during the day while children enjoyed watching Punch and Judy shows.
Organisers said more than 10,000 people gathered to hear former X Factor contestant Diana Vickers and Britain's Got Talent finalists The Loveable Rogues perform alongside pop sensation Stooshe on Saturday night.
Festival Too chairman Derek Harvey said: 'It was fantastic night of entertainment.
'The Punch and Judy shows for the kids in the town centre during the day went down a storm. People brought friends, family and people of all ages – it was just a big party.
'The Festival Too committee all do this for nothing. No one does it for any reward other than to see people enjoy themselves.'
Those attending Saturday's show certainly had a good time.
Steve Lofts, 46, of South Wootton, King's Lynn, said: 'We cycle down to see the tribute bands and the acts they have and we think it's brilliant that King's Lynn has got it. It's a family thing and we look forward to it.
'It is well run and organised and I think the people who manage it do a great job. I am very impressed because there is stuff here for all ages.'
His wife Amanda, 47, said: 'I think it's a really good festival with a good mix of bands. There is a great atmosphere. It feels quite safe, secure and good-natured.'
Peter Bennett, 30, of Blackfriars Road, King's Lynn, was attending his first Festival Too, having recently moved to the area.
'I was told it was a really big event that lots of people go to,' he said. 'I'm quite impressed with the line-up that they've got, there are some good names.'
Aman Siddiqi, 43, of Priory Lane, King's Lynn, added: 'I don't think the organisers could add much more to it. It is fantastic what they have done – if more towns did this, it could be good.' While the celebrities were the main attraction for many, others came to see friends and family perform in local and school bands from the King's Lynn Academy, Springwood High and Edward VII schools.
Christopher Rann, 62, travelled from London to see his grand-daughter perform in the King's Lynn Academy school band. 'It is great that the schools can also take part,' he said. 'The weather has been perfect for the event.'
For 40-year-old Angela Troughton, of Northgate Way, Terrington St Clement, it was the circus act Transe Express that made the most impact.
'It was really enjoyable,' she said. 'It's something we haven't had here before and is something a bit unusual.'
Others said the festival was so good their only complaint was that they would like to see more.
Cheryl Cooke, 42, of St Mary's Terrace, Middleton, said: 'There should be more stuff in the market place for kids and it should start earlier in the day, so the kids can go home afterwards.'
Her mother Sandra Crook, 66, of Graham Drive, Middleton, agreed. 'Things going on all day would be lovely. We love all the groups, whoever comes.'
Festival Too returns to King's Lynn this weekend, with Jimmy Rockit, The Primitives and The Christians playing on Friday and boy band Blue headlining on Saturday.
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