As high winds and heavy rain were forcing the cancellation of events across the UK, everyone involved in the New Islington Festival was determined that months of planning and preparation were not going to go to waste. It's true that the weather took it's toll on expected crowd numbers throughout the afternoon but let's face it, we're Mancunians and we had our waterproofs.

For such a large outdoor event we worked in conjunction with fellow Mancunian events company Ear To The Ground who did a meticulous job of managing the site and main stage as we looked after the arts marquee, caterers and other festival entertainment. Thanks Jon, Tom, David, Rachael and co.

Thanks also go out to Trevor Johnson of Via graphic design. His work has shaped this city over the last twenty years and he's also responsible for the New Islington look and feel which graces everything from the cast iron lamp post surrounds to our festival laminates.

Perhaps the true stars of the festival were our performers. Andrew Baynes is very particular about having damp sand and so we were happy to oblige. Without sounding picky, he was sat on his arse for six hours and it looks nothing like a donkey!

Elliot & Ray's pirate treasure hunt was one of the first casualties of the weather but along with jugglers and minibike riders Curious Eyebrows they just adapted their acts and made the most of the afternoon.

Despite the gusts, Herbie Treehead managed to walk one of his dinosaurs on Old Mill Street to the delight of the younger festival goers. It's a fantastic act, highly recommended and very, very funny. Likewise, Artizani who punted around the festival site serenading visitors with a very sharp send up of the over privileged.

Throughout the day a variety of activities were on offer at our arts marquee including an urban youth workshop with New Islington artist in residence Chris Edmunds and Sketch City, a workshop with leading marbling artist Victoria Hall and clay figure making with the acclaimed Daemon or Doppelganger team.

Phil and Catherine of the wonderful Liverpool-based Urban Canvas worked with visitors of all ages to produce an armada of paper lanterns which were later transported by boat and launched at dusk beside the main island stage. The rain had finally halted and the effect was truly spectacular as the candlelit lanterns drifted across the waterpark. It was a great way to get everyone involved in the festival and the pictures speak for themselves.

If you would like contact details for any of the artists who participated in the festival please get in touch and we'll happily help you out.

The evening's finale was provided by an eclectic DJ set by Mr Scruff followed by some seriously breath taking fireworks courtesy of Walk The Plank. Every flash and boom was soundtracked by a Mancunian trilogy of the spine tingling slow burn of Joy Division's 'Atmosphere', The Fall's clattering 'Jerusalem' and A Guy Called Gerald's spectral 'Voodoo Ray'. It felt like we'd snatched victory from the very wet jaws of defeat.

Seriously, thanks to everyone who made the event possible and to all those who braved the weather to come down.