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The Barnaby Festival team say this year’s event has been bigger and better – bringing even more cash to the town’s economy.

Festival-goers enjoyed family entertainment and music events as part of the bumper Barnaby Big Weekend. The Carnival Parade through the town featured around 50 groups in colourful costumes displaying ingenious creations. A string of talented acts performed on stage in Market Place and there were music events at Christ Church, including a performance by Stephen Morris from Joy Division.

TV comedian Shappi Khorsandi performed a sell-out show. It all ran alongside the Barnaby Art Trail which includes textile banners by Artspace Community Arts Centre in St Michael’s Church until this weekend.

Festival volunteers have said they expect to have attracted more visitors than last year. An evaluation report for 2013 estimated 10,000 people attended the festival, with 26 per cent from outside Macclesfield. Visitors were thought to spend around £55 each – bringing around £500,000 to the town’s economy.

Lynne Jones, festival director, said: “We can safely say we will have exceeded last year’s figures and that’s a lot of money coming into Macclesfield. Barnaby is good for the town because it builds our reputation. It’s the biggest event in town and a showcase for our talent. It’s all down to our amazing volunteers.”

MP David Rutley said the impact of the festival cannot be underestimated. He said: “Barnaby is a real boost to the local economy and is becoming a really distinctive festival. It was great last year and by all accounts it’s been even better this year.”

Sue Bowden, manager at Macclesfield Chamber of Commerce, said Barnaby has given the town ‘enormous exposure’.

Clare Hayward, from Make it Macclesfield, said: “Barnaby Festival has an exponential impact on the town, through increased footfall and increased spend with businesses but it’s much more than that – it brings people together, delivers something for every person in Macclesfield and makes people feel good. Barnaby has introduced people to our heritage, venues, shops and businesses and people from outside town will visit again.”

There is no Barnaby Festival next year because the event is going biennial. Lynne Jones said: “We urge groups to get together and run an alternative event in place of Barnaby next year.”

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