Why has this thread become 'another Sidmouth thread'? The world doesn't start & and at Sidmouth. There are plenty of other festivals out there.
For my tu pence worth. If we are talking about sessions (singing or playing) at festivals, then the money spent on food/drink/accomadation, goes into the local economy. Not the festival bank account.
I feel that if sessions are held at a festival then it is beholding of the participants to contribute something financially to the festival (even if only passing a collecting tin around). Otherwise there won't be a festival & it'll just be a bunch of people meeting in a pub (although there is now't wrong with that).
Cheers
Les