By Pamela McGowan

Last updated at 09:12, Monday, 07 May 2012

Jazz fans descended on Keswick to celebrate the town’s annual festival coming of age.

Keswick jazz festival

The 21st year proved a huge success with organisers extending the traditionally three-day festival to include the Sunday.

Preview performances were also held in the run up to the festival getting underway on Thursday.

Organisers at the Theatre by the Lake hoped it would boost tourism by encouraging more visitors to stay for longer in the town.

And with up to 1,500 people a day attending the various events between Thursday and yesterday’s grand finale, Keswick definitely felt the benefits.

John Minnion, one of the organisers, said: “I think I can safely say it’s been a resounding success. We’ve been pretty much up to capacity. The weather has helped, it’s been fine most of the weekend and Keswick is such a beautiful place you couldn’t ask for more.

“A lot of the people come from quite far away but as the years have gone by more and more people locally have started coming along. We tend to find that once they’ve been once they come back year after year.”

The festival took place over 17 different venues including the Theatre by the Lake and a marquee opposite overlooking Derwentwater, along with local hotels, churches and open air performances in the town’s Market Square.

The bill ranged from well-known American stars to the best of British jazz. There was also a local element, with members of the Keswick School Jazz Orchestra being given the opportunity to perform alongside experienced musicians.

Among the highlights was a parade through the town on Saturday morning. Led by musicians, dozens of jazz fans joined the parade with decorated umbrellas – in homage to New Orleans tradition. They marched from the Market Square down to the lake.

An hour-long power cut affecting a large part of the town on Saturday, but organisers ensured it didn’t ruin the weekend. Several of the affected performers were to play again at the theatre last night, so those who had tickets didn’t miss out.

The dates for next year’s jazz festival have already been set for May 9 to 12.

First published at 09:13, Monday, 07 May 2012
Published by http://www.newsandstar.co.uk