As the town recovers from nine days of competition and partying, Falmouth Week 2014 has been declared the biggest and best ever after attracting record crowds and helping to pump millions of pounds in the local economy.
Over 100,000 visitors descended on the town to sample the very best of what the town has to offer with activities for the young and old alike staged at venues from one end of the town to the other.
Highlights of the week included the Red Arrows display on Wednesday evening, sponsored once again by Falmouth Harbour Commissioners, and the walking carnival which kicked the week off on the first Saturday and was led by Falmouth Marine Band celebrating its 25th anniversary.
Wednesday was the busiest yet with over 35,000 people visiting the town creating a carnival atmosphere as activity included the Animal WD-40 Action Sports Tour, Lizard Stallions and Swashbuckling on The Moor.
The party nights at Events Square also drew thousands of people across the week with many adopting fancy dress to add to the atmosphere. Performances by East 17, Toyah Willcox, Fleetwood Bac, Bon Giovi, Joey and the Lips, Company B and Cornwall's own Rudi's Message and Kernow King went down a storm.
Add to that, fireworks, a big wheel, Science on the Square, Music on The Moor, art workshops, Dragon Boat racing, a Red Arrows simulator and children's entertainment and it was a week to remember.
Then, of course there was the sailing with the Falmouth Week regatta being one of the largest in the South West with yachts from a number of classes, including the historic Falmouth Working Boats, racing over seven days.
The week's success has been welcomed by all those involved. Tim Vigus, of Southwest Bars and Events, responsible for the party nights, said: “Falmouth Week 2014 was the best and biggest yet for the Events Square tent with 8,000 people through the door. We are already planning for next year and are looking forward to the Tall Ships Regatta.”
Jayne Griggs, from Pubs United who organised Music on the Moor, added: “What a fun week. Great community atmosphere on The Moor as we welcomed many families to a wonderful range of events, musical acts and creative workshops.”
Richard Gates, town manager and chair of the Falmouth Week shoreside committee said: “On behalf of the committee, we are really pleased with the huge success of the week. It all works well due to the co-operation and hard work behind the scenes both on and off the water.
“Events taking place throughout the town from The Moor to Events Square were very well supported. I would like to say a big thank you to the sponsors and partners involved in the week and all the volunteers who give up their time to support the town. Without their involvement we simply would not be in a position to organise these wonderful festivals.”
Richard Wilcox, Falmouth Business Improvement District (BID) manager, added: “Falmouth Week is another example of the community coming together to make great things happen. We know from visitor surveys that half of the four million visitors to Cornwall do so to experience events and that is why we have as a town team, invested in more activities and festivals enabling Falmouth to become Cornwall's events capital.
“Each day visitor spends on average around £45 so it becomes quickly apparent how valuable such events as Falmouth Week are to the town and its businesses. This is why we all work hard to ensure they are as professionally run and organised as possible.”
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here