The posters and banners said โ€˜Expect the unexpectedโ€™ and they were certainly right. The NOW Northwich arts festival took over the town centre last weekend (Saturday 6 October) attracting an estimated 26,000 people.

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The festival featured over a 100 local performers led by Cheshire Dance and Fallen Angels Dance Theatre alongside nationally recognised UK artists.

Soaring above the heads of spectators, Highly Sprung brought a unique Urban Astronaut performance highlighting the issues of environmental damage to the planet. There were dance performances by Company Chameleon, Cheshire Dance, Fallen Angels Dance Theatre and other local dance groups using locations around Barons Quay and Witton Street.

Councillor Louise Gittins, Cabinet Member Communities and Wellbeing, said: โ€œMany congratulations to all involved, performers, crew, organisers and especially the welcoming audiences for each performance.

โ€œIt should be renamed Wow Northwich, Barons Quay provided an impressive backdrop for the festival lending itself perfectly to performance spaces. I will be challenging the team to come back with even more next year if that is even possible.โ€

Dutch performers Close Acts stunned the crowds with their stilt walking prehistoric beasts. The early evening performance turned Witton Street into an exciting environment filled with red lighting and smoke as the performers weaved their way through the crowds.

Northwich BID Manager Jane Hough said: โ€œNorthwich truly came alive and it was amazing to see the town so busy and to also see so many smiling faces.

โ€œThe Northwich Business Improvement District was delighted to be involved in the organisation, planning and marketing of the event and we are pleased toย report that there was a massive uplift in footfall on the day.

โ€œEvents like this really put Northwich on the map and I hope everyone is looking forward to the Christmas Extravaganza which comes to town on Saturday 24ย November.โ€

David Morgan, Programme Manager, Without Walls Consortium said: โ€œI was really delighted by the fantastic turnout for the first NOW Northwich event on Saturday. The level of enthusiasm was amazing, and it proves that thereโ€™s a real appetite for this kind of work locally. This event has real potential to grow and establish itself as a major fixture in Cheshireโ€™s cultural calendar.โ€

Social media was on overdrive, with comments including: โ€œWhat a great dayโ€, โ€œAmazing actsโ€, โ€œWhat a fabulous eventโ€, โ€œWow the closing parade was epicโ€ and โ€œBusiest Iโ€™ve ever seen the town centreโ€.

Now Northwich was funded by Cheshire West and Chester Council, Arts Councilย ย England, Northwich and Gadbrook Park BIDโ€™s, Marketing Cheshire and the SLANT programme. The aim is to develop an annual event for the people of Northwich and surrounding areas; showcasing the best local, national and international street artists.

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