THIS year’s Big Splash was the most successful yet as organisers announced record-breaking attendance figures.

Figures from The Riverfront Theatre in Newport have shown over 20,000 people turned out to the weekend-long event last month to celebrate and unite the city of Newport.

Now in its sixth year the Big Splash –which ran from May 29 to 31- held a varied programme of events featuring a live music stage; community stage; and street entertainers.

Funded by Newport City Council and the Arts Council of Wales, with sponsorship from Friars Walk, the successful weekend of celebration has fast become one of Wales’ leading city-based festivals.

Figures from The Riverfront show 200 people turned out to a live cabaret variety show by Slightly Fat Features on opening night and Rogora Khart who opened the free live music on café terrace stage to over 200 people.

Saturday then saw over 10,000 people entertained with professional street entertainers, free live music on the café terrace, family film screenings and workshops at The Riverfront. The Urban Edge zone inside the Newport Centre included a Bboy breakdance competition with 50 dancers who entered the competition and 200 spectators.

Thousands wandered between the entertainment zones and along the riverbanks, visiting the Fairground, The Riverfront, Maindee Festival and the Newport Centre. Finishing off the day, over 7000 people watched a free outside sunset spectacle of acrobats performing on the red wave and the Ar Waith Ar Daith parade of over 40 torchbearers and 20 dancers and the large fire cauldron.

Over 6000 people attended the Maindee Festival and over 100 people took part in the daytime parade.

While Sunday saw a more relaxed vibe at The Riverfront with over 300 people enjoying the free live music on the café terrace throughout the day, including Newport’s own favourite Ska band 2Rude.