Stockton International Riverside Festival
stockton international riverside festival sirf annual outdoor art festival stocktonontees england includes british international performer first stockton riverside festival founded frank wilson first festival took place august known stockton international riverside festival sirf grown internationally famous event attracts thousand spectator founder frank wilson awarded mbe service festival art north east recognising impact festival made stockton sirf celebrated th anniversary local musician collaborated start stockton riverside fringe festival companion event sirf grew small free onestage oneday fringe event intended showcase local talent become tenth festival multistage paid event headlined calvin harris onwards produced tee music alliance collaboration stockton borough council renamed stockton weekender headlined maxïmo park pogues primal scream public enemy would last year following festival tee valley music alliance announced would longer organising festival failed sell enough ticket cover cost considered longer financially viable since mids sirf regularly funded stockton borough council since council received national portfolio organisation funding art council england value approximately £ per annum festival programme delivered dedicated team employed local authority sirf community carnival programme commission artist engage local school community group supporting create costume carnival structure music performance interpreting annually agreed theme become vibrant colourful procession centre stockton starting noon saturday afternoon festival grown participant spread different community group previous carnival theme included stockton international riverside festival sirf stocktonontees borough council