Hi Giok - (slightly off topic, in that it isn't about Sidmouth, but please forgive me) - there is another reason to put on a Festival - which is sort of akin to your no. 2 but slightly different - and this is the one that most local authorities have in mind, when they support Festivals. That is - To raise awareness of and gain positive media coverage for the town / district etc of the host authority and to generate economic benefits for the area, encourage people to explore more than just the Festival and perhaps return at other times of the year.

I have been involved for many years with a Festival whose income came from a local authority, supplemented by private sponsors, supporters but the event itself was mostly free of charge to the public. Believe you me, as a booker, I was never in the position of having ideas above my station (whatever my station was / is). The whole thing was considered an ensemble production - including all the performers and production team.