The boat trips were all free for the first time in W3's eight-year history. This was made possible by some funding from East Midland Development Agency, facilitated by British Waterways and additional funding from Derbyshire Community Foundation.

W3 chairman Barrie Walker said: "We had initially hoped to get funding so that we could offer free child trips. But the generosity of two organisations meant we could offer free trips to everyone. Some people from out of the area were amazed that boat trips cost nothing. Our success is measured by the numbers – 784 people used our hire boats, easily a record and proof that people are fascinated by the canals of Britain."

The free boat trips brought people to the canal basin even in Saturday's rain. But there was always plenty of other entertainment, most of it free.

One of the favourite acts was Boggarts' Breakfast morris dance group, with members from Buxworth and Sheffield. Their blue faces, black and silver sequined outfits and athletic dancing won applause.

Grey skies and steady rain did nothing to knock the enjoyment of teen band Crucial Feedback on Saturday, as well as Goyt Valley Brass. Many of the entertainment acts, such as Punch and Judy, the petting zoo and Big Bird were cost-free to families, making W3 a bonus in 'credit crunch' 2008.

Sunday saw several gazebos wrecked by the gales which reduced the number of craft stalls. There was more music on stage from teen band Plane White and New Mills Co-op Band.

And there was Irish and maypole dancing from Heage Windmillers, a group based in south Derbyshire.

The opening event on Friday was a concert by Whaley Bridge Primary School choir, and a reception for sponsors and supporters with music by folk group Acoustic Collective. Local speaker David Frith gave a talk on the history of the transhipment warehouse.

Visitors to W3 were invited to vote on optional plans for the future of the large building at the canal basin, the transhipment warehouse. Heritage Works, a Manchester company specialising in restoring old sites, is conducting a feasibility study for British Waterways on future use of the canal basin area.