ORGANISERS say the success of Freedom Festival has seen the city take a major leap towards securing the 2017 City of Culture title. More than 80,000 people packed the city's streets for a torch-lit procession, theatre shows, art and music, beating last year's attendance.
As giant skeletons from French theatre company Transe Express took over the marina and indie band The 1975 played to thousands, organisers said Hull is now poised to capture the City of Culture title. Success when the winner is named in November could secure investment and jobs and place Hull at the heart of Britain's cultural success stories.
Chairman of the Freedom board Graham Chesters said: "I am very, very confident we will be named City of Culture. It's not a case of 'if,' it's a case of 'when'.
"It would be extraordinary and Freedom Festival could go on beyond the three days.
"It's been a privilege and although we still have a long way to go, we have huge ambitions."
He said the torch-lit procession on Friday, which saw 1,000 torchbearers take part, was an "amazing spectacle."
The climax was Martin Luther King's "I have a dream" speech, delivered by poet Lemn Sissay.
Mr Chesters said: "I ruined a pair of trousers after catching them with my torch but one has to make sacrifices for art."
"I'm proud to live in this city and there's been a change in the atmosphere this year.
"We've had more sponsors than ever before and they've given more money than ever before."
About 8,000 people turned up to see Transe Express weave their way through the streets as 3m- high skeleton puppets, fireworks and acrobats wowed the crowds.
Throughout Saturday, families descended on the Fruit Market area and Humber Street to enjoy jazz and indie bands, ballet and unusual street performers.
Children were entertained by a Chinese dragon in Queen's Gardens and little ones got involved in maypole dancing.
• Drums of death herald dark side of Freedom Festival 2013
Mr Chesters said: "We were very confident of delivering a strong Freedom programme for 2013 and knew there was more pressure to do so this year, given where we are in the City of Culture bidding process.
"Yet we have been completely blown away by the positive feedback and the sheer numbers of those who have come out and supported Freedom and the city of Hull.
"It's been a period of transition this year, with the creation of a new board and the appointment of festival directors Walk the Plank.
"I just hope the City of Culture judges had their eye on Hull this weekend in some way."
Hull is in the final four battling for the 2017 title and the bid will be submitted on September 29, with the winner announced in November.
Terry Geraghty, Hull City Council's portfolio holder for leisure and culture, said: "As key supporters of the festival, it's fantastic to hear of such strong support.
"The entire weekend has been an outstanding showcase for the city to demonstrate exactly what we can achieve in staging large-scale cultural events.
"There are now just 21 days until Hull's City of Culture bid is submitted – we're incredibly proud of what's been achieved this weekend and expect it will significantly strengthen our bid."
• Pictures of The 1975 and Akala at Freedom Festival 2013
• Picture gallery: Freedom Festival Friday highlights
• Picture gallery: Freedom Festival Saturday highlights
• Picture gallery: Freedom Festival Sunday highlights
