For those who enjoyed the fun and colour of this year’s Hat Fair, a new photographic exhibition in City Space at Winchester Discovery revisits the amazing sights of last year’s festival.

Since its launch on the 26 June, Festivals in Winchester: The Photographers has been attracting visitors with its fascinating images of Hat Fair, Winchester Festival, MAYfest, Winchester Writers' Conference and the Festival of Art and Mind which were photograped in 2009 by Kin Ho, Paul Carter, Daniel Gradwell, Joe Low and Marcus Tate respectively.

Cllr Dominic Hiscock, Winchester City Council's Portfolio Holder for Economic Prosperity said: "The extraordinary images reflect the excitement that people clearly experience when they visit Winchester during the festival season. The photographers captured the delighted reactions of individuals in the crowds and are an apt reminder that the benefits to our economy during this period offer a vital boost to many local businesses. Last year, Hat Fair attracted 30,000 visitors who spent over £734,000 on accommodation, food, drinks and parking - this year’s sunshine may mean that 2010 will be the best year yet for the city." *

The free exhibition, which has already received excellent reviews from the public, is curated by Winchester City Council and will be at City Space until Sunday 25 July 2010. It is part of an overarching 'Festivals in Winchester' campaign founded by the festival directors themselves and the City Council.

The group is also inviting locals to take part via a photography competition sponsored by Kin Ho, El Sabio restaurant, and Winchester Photographic. For more details, visit www.festivalsinwinchester.co.uk or www.visitwinchester.co.uk


* Statistics supplied by Shea Debnam Associates: The Economic Impact of Hatfair