For this first time in its history, Alnwick's annual fireworks spectacular was free to the public.
Visitors usually pay admission for the show, organised and paid for by the Round Table.
But this year generous members decided to lay on the whole night for free as a credit crunch-busting gift to the town.
Neil Pickard, from the Round Table, said: "We'd had a few events over the last year or so, which made quite a bit of money, so due to the credit crunch we decided to do the fireworks free of charge.
"It was the biggest crowd we've ever had, we think in excess of 3,000 people.
"We achieved what we set out to do, which was give the people of Alnwick a great fireworks display free of charge, and we still made a decent amount for our charities."
Donations to the charity on the night still managed to raise more than £2,500.
Saturday was a big night for 10-year-old Amber Brown who lit the fuse on the fabulous display.
Amber, of Straffen Court in Amble, had the honour of starting the display, held at Alnwick Rugby Club, after winning a competition in the Gazette last week.
And the resulting array of aerial explosions was more than enough to keep the thousands who turned out in the freezing cold gazing skywards.
Amber's mum, Susan, said her daughter was stunned to find out she had won.
"She was already looking forward to going to the Alnwick display, but when she saw her name in the Gazette on Thursday, she was jumping for joy," she said.
"It was absolutely fantastic and she loved every minute of it."