Blackburn has an exciting calendar of family-friendly festivals and events planned across the town centre in 2016, thanks to Blackburn BID. These festivals and events will be funded by local businesses and will complement events which are being held by Blackburn Council, Blackburn Cathedral, The Mall and Blackburn Market.
Saturday 25th June will see a flower theme take over the streets with a day filled with family activities and the return of 'Countryside comes to Town' featuring CBeebies favourite, Mr Bloom. This event was a finalist in last year's Lancashire Tourism awards and attracted over 76,000 visitors to the town. This year will also feature a pop up farm yard, travelling insect circus museum, 30 foot sleeping pig, the BID summer bash, and an evening programme of home grown talent. The event will be officially opened by The Great British Bake Off winner, Nadiya Hussain.
Blackburn Cathedral Flower Festival runs from 23rd - 26th June, and main sponsor the BID are hosting a Friday night twilight event. 'The Secret Garden' will include a licenced bar and live music where visitors will be able to enjoy cocktails, wine and speciality beers amongst stunning floral displays.
The Easter trail around the shops will be launched by Plucky the Hen, and takes place between 12th March and 1st April, when a dozen 3 foot giant chocolate eggs will be hidden across Blackburn with a series of clues. The star prize will be an edible 3 foot jewel-encrusted golden egg and £500 worth of shopping vouchers to spend in town centre businesses.
Saturday 23rd April is St George's Day, and visitors will be invited to follow the dragons trail to see live street theatre and musical performances with human size puppet actors from different internationally acclaimed production companies. 'Here Be Dragons' includes shows in The Mall, Blackburn Market and on the Cathedral grounds, and feature a visit by the Thwaites Shire Horses, the distribution of roses by the Royal Society of St George, clog dancing, a town crier, roundabouts, rides and street food stalls.
Sunday 9th October is Steam Sunday. Local specialists, Heritage Painting bring together a convoy of enthusiasts from across the county, who showcase their personal collection of steam powered vehicles from the workshops in Darwen to Blackburn town centre.
BID Manager, Harriet Roberts who is organising the events explained, ''The festival programme is part of a five year business plan to market the town and attract new visitors by animating the spaces with high quality, vibrant events. We're keen to move people around the town to experience some of the independent specialist shops a stone's throw away from the main centre. There is also a will to extend the daytime events into the evening by experimenting with twilight activities to encourage dwell time beyond 5pm.''
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