Around 120,000 visitors to Brighouse added £1m to the local economy at the town’s 1940s weekend.
Organisers say hotel rooms was sold out as people flocked from all over the country – and some parts of the world – to attend the weekend event.
Visitors saw streets full of 40s military and civilian displays, historic vehicles and thousands of re-enactors in period costume.
The event celebrated the 70th anniversary of VE Day and used that party atmosphere as its theme.
The event was organised by the Brighouse Business Initiative, a collective of volunteers of traders and people working to bring prosperity to the town centre.
Lesley Adams, chair of the BBI, said “It’s been another great weekend for Brighouse. This event is now one of the most popular in Yorkshire and has really put Brighouse on the map as a tourist destination.
“We do it to keep the town busy and it has created a wonderful community spirit.”
John Buxton, event coordinator, added: “We put on all these events in the town centre to keep the town thriving and they are completely free to attend.
“This event is worth over £1 million to the local economy and wherever possible all our suppliers and market stalls are local.”
Steven Lord, one of the organisers, added: “Our volunteers have worked hard for months to organise this event and we have been rewarded with huge crowds of visitors who have had a great time.”
The BBI team are now planning more town centre events – the next is the Canal, Beer and Music Festival on August 22-23; Calderdale’s first ever Comedy Festival takes place September 28-October 4; and they will top off a successful year with the Victorian Christmas Festival on November 28-29.
