Record numbers hit Lowestoft for First Light Festival 2023

Live music at First Light Festival 2023. Picture: Mick Howes (Image: Mick Howes)

First Light Festival 2023 attracted the crowds as a feast of creativity, community and culture hit Lowestoft.

Performances at the free multi arts festival. Picture: Mick Howes (Image: Mick Howes)

The free multi-arts festival - celebrating the first midsummer sunrise in Britain's most easterly town - had dozens of live music acts, performances, workshops, wellbeing zones, arts, unique sculptures and activities to entertain the crowds.

First Light Festival 2023. Picture: Mick Howes (Image: Mick Howes)

Transforming Lowestoft's South Beach, Kensington Gardens, the Upper Esplanade and Jubilee Parade, the festival started in style with a special walking parade celebrating Lowestoft's unique natural geography.

The parade in Lowestoft. Picture: Mick Howes (Image: Mick Howes)

Colourful masks, animal characters, musicians, performers and community groups danced and marched their way through town as part of Hi! Street Fest - a nationwide project from Emergency Exit Arts in partnership with Historic England.

Venue of the Performing Arts at the First Light Festival parade. Picture: Mick Howes (Image: Mick Howes)

The parade included primary school children - with proud parents looking on - as the procession was headed by a five-metre tall fox called Farrah, and giant Lowestoft puppet Sol, representing the Spirit of the Sea.

Funky Feet School of Dance & Performing Arts at the First Light Festival 2023. Picture: Mick Howes (Image: Mick Howes)

After an afternoon and evening of free events, ticketed performances took centre stage on Saturday night before crowds gathered on the shoreline at the Sunrise Club on Sunday morning for a free dawn experience of dance and music with the rising light.

Funky Feet School of Dance and Performing Arts at the First Light Festival. Picture: Mick Howes (Image: Mick Howes)

Genevieve Christie, chief executive at organisers First Light Festival CIC, said there had been "an incredible turnout".

Ukrainian families at the parade. Picture: Mick Howes (Image: Mick Howes)

Mrs Christie said: "It was an absolute joy to see such a spectacular parade - it really was heartwarming and lovely to see.

Performing the opening song at the First Light Festival entitled 'Herring Girls'. Picture: Mick Howes (Image: Mick Howes)

"Obviously more people know about it as we are in our third year of a full festival, and there has been a great buzz about the festival.

The First Light Festival 2023. Picture: Mick Howes (Image: Mick Howes)

"We will know about the numbers attending later in the week.

"I think the footfall last year saw 35,000 people turning out - we are definitely looking at more than that.

The First Light Festival 2023. Picture: Mick Howes (Image: Mick Howes)

"It's been fantastic."

Phil Aves, partnership change manager for Lowestoft Rising, said people had been "exceptionally well-behaved".

The Manifest perform at the First Light Festival 2023. Picture: Mick Howes (Image: Mick Howes)

He added: "It has been lovely seeing everyone pulling together for such a great event.

The Vibettes perform at the First Light Festival 2023. Picture: Mick Howes (Image: Mick Howes)

"The community came together for the parade and with the majority of primary schools across Lowestoft involved it has created some really lovely memories."