THE huge task of organising an arts festival means Okehampton is taking a break this year but the event will be back bigger and better in 2002.
Fans of the arts however will not be disappointed because there will be lots of events throughout this year which started with a tea dance yesterday (Wednesday.)
Chairman of the Arts Festival Committee Alan King said it took longer than 12 months to organise a festival to match the standard of last year so a decision was made to start working towards 2002.
'When we made the decision we still only had half a dozen people on the committee and it is an awful lot of work for a small number like that,' he said.
'Since then we have recruited another six and got the town council and members of the Courtenay Players theatre group involved so it's full steam ahead for 2002.'
Another reason for putting the festival on hold is so it does not clash with Chagford Arts Festival this summer.
Mr King said the revival of the arts festival in Okehampton had been a great success, one of the highlights being the Party in the Park which attracted 1,000 people.
'We would like to double that number next year and at the moment we are working on getting one or two big names to headline the festival,' added Mr King.
'Having someone like Georgie Fame at last year's festival has resulted in the event being taken seriously.'
With the tea dance being one of the most popular events last year, it will be repeated throughout 2001 and in April an 'open mic poetry' event at the Plymouth Inn will give budding poets a chance to show their talent.
DJ mixing workshops will be held during school holidays and the London Community Gospel Choir, who have formed links and performed with Okehampton's 'Soul Attitude', are appearing at Okehampton College in September.
The internationally renowned choir have worked with the likes of Elton John and Ronan Keating and featured heavily on the theme track to Walt Disney's 'Lion King.'
Mr King said a performance by the London Community Gospel Choir in Okehampton was particularly special because each of the members was a professional artist in their own right, having worked as session musicians or singers and having solo interests.
A classical concert is also on the cards for the summer and the Courtenay Players are planning an event.
As well as giving entertainment to local people and visitors, vital funds will be raised from these events to make the 2002 arts festival so with a swing.