FULL of exhausted but happy faces, those who have been key to clinching the City of Culture for Hull have come together to celebrate tonight.
A special event is taking place at Fruit in Humber Street for all the officials, artists, musicians, business people and politicians who put the city's successful bid together.
It already feels like a long time ago since Culture Minister Maria Miller announced Hull had fended off competition from Dundee, Leicester and Swansea Bay for the 2017 accolade.
A packed Hull Truck Theatre cheered the announcement this morning and the celebrations haven't stopped since.
The event this evening is giving those who have worked so hard to bring the title to the city a chance to wind down with live entertainment and free drinks.
Hull's Bid director Andrew Dixon looked shattered but was still on a high.
He said: "Tonight is a celebration, getting everyone involved together to thank them for their efforts.
"The city will have plenty of time to welcome visitors but tonight is about celebrating what everyone has achieved.
"We knew this was going to be really big but the press cuttings have stacked up and Hull is now in the spotlight for all the right reasons."
Bid team member Karen Okra was one of those who presented Hull's bid to the judges in Derry last week.
She said: "It's been an absolutely phenomenal, crazy and brilliant day.
"Tonight is about celebrating and later I will go home and just think about it all for a while.
"It is just starting to sink in and now it is our time."
Director of company Force-7 and 2017 Angel Phil Batty still can't believe what has happened.
Clutching a well-earned drink, he said: "Words can't describe the emotions I have experienced today.
"Everyone has been so passionate about this.
"We all deserve a drink tonight and some of us here had to face the harsh questioning from the judges last week."
