The Banbury Canal Festival was a "huge success," its organisers have said, with this year's edition being one of the biggest in the event's history.
Banbury Town Council, alongside various partners, welcomed crowds to take part in a wide array of activities on Saturday and Sunday, October 5 and 6.
Over the weekend, the town was bustling with events, displays, exhibitions, and performances catering to families and individuals.
The town council said: "Due to in part to its huge and diverse line-up of things to see and do, the canal festival is one of the most popular Banbury events, both among Banbury residents and the wider Oxfordshire population.
"The canal festival has long been considered by Banbury Town Council to be an important homage to the town’s historic relationship with Britain’s wider canal network."
In the 19th and 20th centuries, Banbury’s growth was significantly influenced by its prime location along the Oxford Canal.
This route, once important for traders and manufacturers, now attracts pleasure boaters and tourists.
Banbury Music Mix Radio spotlighted local talent with a packed schedule across both days, while The Mill Arts Centre hosted performances from the Black Eagles, Angie Mack’s Hula Hoop Show, and HENGE from Motion House.
Other performers included the Adderbury Morris Men, who made several appearances throughout Saturday.
Running before, during, and after the festival were various live performances, screenings, and crafts at the historic Tooley’s Boatyard, organised by the Village Butty.
As the world’s oldest canal dry dock, Tooley’s Boatyard is one of the most popular sites at the festival.
The town council added: "The canal festival was a fantastic opportunity for Banbury residents to learn more about the town’s fascinating history, as well as experience some of the best modern and future talent exhibited by the performers, organisations, and local businesses present at the event."
It thanked its key partners, including The Mill Arts Centre, Banbury Museum and Gallery, Castle Quay, Tooley’s Boatyard, The Village Butty, Bridge Street Community Gardens, Banbury BID, Lock29, and The Light for supporting the event.
It said the "wide array of organisations contributing to the festivities" helped to make the event one of the biggest ever.
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