Trying to sum up the Festivities weekend is difficult, but maybe my walk through the High Street on Sunday morning goes some way towards it.

In the town everything was buzzing, and the sun was shining. I passed a wealth of different stalls, a vintage traction engine, Petersfield Community Choir and two buskers, one of whom was Luke Ferre, obviously spurred on by the response his set had received the previous night on stage in the Square.

Saturday night set the musical standard for the whole weekend. Martin Newnham and Andy Parkin set the scene with some great acoustic songs, and slowly, the Square filled up. Atomic Badger provided some excellent covers, putting its own spin on classics like Stevie Wonder’s Superstition.

But, SixNationState was the band everyone was really waiting for. SixNationState can only be described as a manic ball of energy, and soon there was a large group of people (of all ages) dancing and stamping their feet at the front of the stage. The reggae-infused rock kept everyone going as a downpour began halfway though the set. It forced some members of the audience to take drastic action to protect themselves from the elements (see picture above).

It may have been the atmosphere, or the added shelter from the weather, or both, but by the time the band reached the end of its set, a handful of audience members had joined them on stage. But, there was only time for one encore.

Sunday began at a gentler pace, with poetry from Write Angle Cabaret Poetry. Leah Cohen’s poems and Jezz’ song to beer were particularly good. Later, as James Blake took to the stage with Fred Oduro-Sarpong on percussion, a toast was in order on this sunny day: “to Foggy’s, for Pimms!” he said, raising a glass.

The acoustic vibe continued with a set from Peter Conway. He looked every inch the classic songwriter, from his hat and waistcoat right down to his shoes. His music, with its insightful lyrics, left us with much to think about.

Polly Wood and Steve Picken were also a highlight. Bringing a bit of blues to the stage, they mixed up their set of original material with some challenging yet well judged covers, including Robert Johnson’s Walkin’ Blues and Martin Simpson’s Broke Down Engine.

Anyone who has seen Manti in its other guise as Shrink Floyd will how talented the band is, but alongside its original material, the version of Free’s Wishing Well was excellent.

By the time Rumour Has It were on stage on Sunday evening the Square was packed with so many people it was almost impossible to move.

But of course it was not all music. Earlier in the afternoon the EHDC Get active dance group had wowed a large crowd in the Square with their routine. One member’s dancing was so fast and fluid he may as well have had liquid feet!

There was also some spectacular break dancing, and Petersfield’s contribution to the Olympic handover.