THOUSANDS of people packed into some of York’s most historic streets to enjoy this year’s Festival of Angels.
The annual event took place on Saturday and Sunday in Swinegate, Back Swinegate, Little Stonegate and Grape Lane, as visitors and residents flocked to enjoy artwork, entertainment and foodstalls.
Incredible ice sculptures were also on show throughout the day, including Woody and Buzz Lightyear from the Toy Story movies, Bambi, and a weeping angel.
Last year, the festival attracted about 50,000 visitors and raised £2,500 for charity, and organisers hope this year’s event will at least match that amount.
Fran Hughes manned the Biltmore Bar & Grill stall on Saturday, and said the festival had a great atmosphere, despite the cold temperatures.
She said: “I have been here for four years now, and have never worked outside, I’m usually holding the fort inside. We took a lot of money though, it was really good and looked busy both days.”
The weather did its best to thin out the visitor numbers, with biting cold on Saturday followed by pouring rain on Sunday, but Fran said the festival had still been a success.
She said: “We were really busy and even had a lot of people from Newcastle come all the way down for the festival. People have come from all over to see the ice sculptures. It’s all great fun, and the hot drinks have been selling very well.
“I think we’ll definitely be doing it again next year.”
Festival delight
ONCE the Festival Of Angels was a low-key attraction. Now, as visitor numbers at the weekend testify, the event has become a major part of the season’s festivities and in these difficult times it was good to see York so busy.
Traders and officials have worked hard to stimulate this city’s Christmas economy and it is reassuring to know York remains vibrant while many other cities up and down the country struggle.
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