I've been to Sidmouth only once and while I enjoyed it in part most of the time I was there it didn't grab me and make me want to ensure it was an essential part of my festival year like a few of my very good friends do. I would if I had limitless amounts of spare dosh attend eg if I won the lottery. However I wouldn't want to see it go under. The thing I noticed when I was there is that the locals hate it (the Festival) and the letters in the local press are venomous in the extreme with ranting like 'why does the town have to put up with this each year !!' the assumption by some is that most of the money is spent on site and that the town does not benefit. I know that's false but that was the view.