As someone who has been present at most of the Sidmouth Festivals, under their various titles since the late 60's its true to say that the first weekend has always been far busier than the rest of the week, only to be expected I would have thought since more people have time available at weekends, and not everyone is able to devote a whole week of their Annual leave to festival going.
The number of people taking part in the various 'fringe' sessions will vary on an almost hourly basis, depending on many factors including, weather, time of day, and what else is on offer elsewhere at any given time, certainly at the sessions I visited this year there were more or less the same number of participants of all ages and genders as in other years, I didn't take an audit of instruments !! so cant comment on what are the currently fashionable ones, but I saw no shortage of any, and in the main all skilfully played.
I have to agree with Derek,(see above) that as far as the official festival programme went there was certainly no loss of momentum there, with plenty of exciting and entertaining acts throughout the week, And I do find it sad that some people seem to regard the fringe activities as the be all and end all of the Festival, important though they are, they are missing a lot not attending at least some of the concerts and other performances on offer.
I do have to agree with the comments about Traders on the sea front, but as Derek explained this is largely beyond the control of the festival.
Henry Piper, Sidmouth Traditional Mummers.

P.S, why shouldn't the Director treat himself to a game of Pitch and Putt if he wants to !!!..... He's earnt it.