10:54pm Wednesday 8th July 2009
ORGANISERS believe this year’s Hat Fair in Winchester attracted record numbers of people into the city centre.
Mike Martins, assistant director, said the previous record was thought to be about 40,000 four years ago and this year could be double that.
Mr Martins said: “The sites we use as getting bigger and people are spread out more. Saturday afternoon was certainly busier.
“A lot was to do with the weather but the press was a lot stronger. Street arts in general is getting more popular. I think the programme has been getting better.”
He said there was anecdotal evidence that the international line-up of performers was attracting tourists from Europe.
The fair started in 1974 and is now the longest-running street theatre festival in the country.
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