Hull's Freedom Festival Gets Underway
It's expected to attract tens of thousands of people over the next two days.
People in Hull will be given a taste of what's to come in 2017 when the popular Freedom Festival gets underway later.
Organisers say they expect tens of thousands of people to descend on the streets of the city centre and Marina to watch the event over the next two days.
Last year, it attracted more than 100,000 people to Hull and generated millions of pounds for the local economy.
The three-day arts and culture event is set to feature more than 200 local and international performers.
Executive director Jennny Coombes says it's about showcasing to the world - what Hull's capable of. She told Viking FM:
"It's not just about the festival, it's about giving these people who maybe don't put Hull as their first place to visit on a week to week basis, the opportunity to see the city in a different light and to see its real genuine potential. If the Freedom Festival acts as a catalyst to bring these people back then that's fantastic and we want to be a part of that pull.
"Last year, estimated additional spend in the city was £3.5m and that's a huge amount and that's just the one-off weekend benefit but if you look at the bigger picture then hopefully the longer terms benefit is that people are coming back to the city and realising that Hull is a vibrant cultrual city.
"I think what is important now is that more opportunity to showcase our local talent are happening and coming to the city and for me, it'd be wonderful to get to the point in a few years' time and I do think this is already happening, where agencies and producers start to see the Freedom Festival as a place they can come to to spot local talent."
The festival kicks off tonight. For more information about what's on offer, visit: