PEOPLE are being urged to join the fight to keep an East Yorkshire festival afloat.
People with new ideas are urgently needed to give the Great Driffield Festival a long-term future amid fears it could fold.
The rallying cry follows the disclosure that last year's festival lost about �2,000 and the town council has no plans for one this year.
Disappointed supporters now want to hold a smaller event this summer, with the hope of getting it back on its feet in 2012.
Town councillor Paul Rounding said: "If we do nothing to keep the festival on track, the chances are that it will disappear for good.
"There has been a festival in some form or another for as long as I can remember and it would be a great shame if it was lost.
"The festival helps to bring the community together and I'm certain there are people who feel the same way and want to keep it going."
Driffield Festival is an important event on the town's social calendar, including fun activities during the day and live bands taking to the stage at night.
The town council took over the festival committee a few years ago, but was left to cover losses after the event went over the estimated �16,500 budget last year.
Some people believe a move from the town centre to Driffield Showground hit attendances and last year's festival also clashed with England's opening World Cup match.
As a result, the town council has not budgeted for a festival this year, but would be happy for other organisations to take over the running of the event.
Mr Rounding said: "It was a mistake to move out of the town to the showground, but I think the festival got too big and that led to its downfall.
"North End Park, where the festival used to be held, is an ideal location because it is more convenient and close to the town centre.
"It's too late to organise a full-blown festival this year, but I hope people will rally and help us get something smaller off the ground."
Mr Rounding said one possibility was joining forces with the team behind the annual Driffield Folk Festival.
He said: "The important thing is that people come forward now with their ideas and suggestions to give the festival a future."
Claire Binnington, the town clerk, said last year was a very good festival, but unfortunately it did not make any money to carry forward to the next event.
She said: "Financial constraints mean we don't have any spare money to run a festival this year, so it has been shelved.
"But if organisations or groups want to come in and organise a festival, the town council would be happy for them to do that."
Mrs Binnington warned that there would not be any financial support from the town council.
Groups and individuals who would like to get involved with the festival should write Mr Rounding at Driffield Town Council, Market Walk, Driffield, or call 01377 253146.
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