THOUSANDS of music lovers made the fifth annual Capel Music Festival go with a swing on Sunday afternoon.
Event founder Phil Partridge said the afternoon had been an enormous success, with a great family atmosphere.
However, it was Saturday night's final pre-event, the Capel Talent and Tote night, which had surpassed all expectations.
Mr Partridge told the Advertiser: "We had hoped for 200 people but we actually got 350, thanks partly to our judge and compere Phil Green from Britain's Got Talent, who received thunderous applause."
The talent competition – entered by 17 acts – was won by 11-year-old harpist Katie Simmonds, who enchanted the audience with what Mr Partridge termed a "spellbinding" performance.
"Sensational" Abba singalong act Corina and the Cockerels came second, with talented keyboard player and singer Clare Chapman, 16, third.
For the big day on the village recreation ground, a succession of singers, bands and even a choir kept the crowd of 2,200 entertained from noon until evening.
Mr Partridge said: "Children were running around playing ball games while mums and dads enjoyed the music. It was very family-orientated, with music for all ages.
"You could sense that the audience were just grabbed by some of the acts. A band of youngsters named Sweet Revenge had a particularly good way of putting stuff across – they got the crowd going and I think they have a really bright future ahead of them."
Mr Partridge thanked everyone who made the day a success, with particular praise reserved for the Funktion-One sound system and the volunteer stewards provided by charities the Studio ADHD Centre and the Amber Foundation.
He said: "The volunteers made the day, rather like the Games Makers at the Olympics. Everyone said they were so good.
"We do all of this because we love music, but the community spirit to deliver it, and that also raised by it, makes it feel doubly good.
"It was a lot of effort but it was well worth it."
Mr Partridge estimated about £14,000 had been raised for the event's chosen charities, the Studio ADHD Centre and St Catherine's Hospice.
Co-organiser Dawn Hinton announced she was standing down and asked for anyone interested in helping out next year to contact the committee via the website at www.capelmusic festival.org.uk
