Festival Day is fast approaching and Festival Queen elect Niamh is set to make history by succeeding her sister Roisin, who will crown her and then support her throughout her reign.

If you are still looking for a way to join in the fun a float can simply be a decorated car and trailer filled with family and friends! Register before the end of May – all the details from the Secretary Tel: 865840

Festival 2017 has the theme FLOWER POWER and don’t miss our new competition for decorated wheelbarrows to be judged on Festival morning along with the usual Decorated Shop Windows and House Fronts. There’s still time to enter – just pick up a form from The Chippy and help to make the village look really colourful on Festival Day.

Entries must be returned by 6pm on Friday 2nd June and Judges, Rebecca Birkby and Jackie Cockayne will be out and about from 10am on Festival morning.

Fancy Dress is also “Enter on the Day” – just register at 1.10pm in Oliverson’s playground ready for Judges Alan & Helen Roberts to make their decisions at 1.20pm. Fancy dress competitors then join the Procession and Trophy winners are announced on The Square. Please note that there is a trophy for the most original idea as well as for the
overall best entry.

All Float vehicles will be in place by 1pm – lining up along Goosnargh Lane and everyone riding on a float is asked to be on board by 1.25pm with Judging by Guy and Carol Topping beginning at 1.30pm from the tennis courts.

As usual the Procession will be a feast of music and dancing and the Manchester Phoenix Pipe Band will be visiting us for the first time, joining the Eclipse Parade Band, BwD Student Big Band and of course The Longridge Band in creating a real carnival atmosphere.

The Festival theme has been chosen as a tribute to Tom Kirby and we are delighted to be welcoming Special Guests Guy and Carol Topping, representing Barton Grange. Guy is to present a new award to the Festival, The Tom Kirby Rosebowl, which will be presented each year to the newly crowned Queen.

Your help is vital to make Festival Day a success.
Your Festival needs YOU!!

We are especially looking for all the young “Bake Off” fans out there. Bake us your favourite cakes and PLEASE come along to the Village Hall on Festival morning from 8.30am to help prepare the Celebration Tea. If you can spare just half an hour that would be fantastic. Help is equally needed from 4pm to keep the teapots charged and the buffet table refilled.

Tea is free for all invited guests and children in the Procession, others are very welcome to join them for just £3.

All the Festival chairs have been replaced as promised following our Autumn Festival Ball and help is needed from 9am on Festival morning to provide transport to The Square and help to set up the Arena for the crowning; and again to return everything at the end of the afternoon.

Please contact Nik Birkby or Tel: 865840 to volunteer for his Procession Marshalling Team. Briefing takes place in the Village Hall at 12 noon on Festival Day and high viz jackets are provided. It is vital that we have marshals at each junction to reinforce the Road Closure Order and ensure the safety of the Procession.

We have wonderful support from PC Chris Banks and his team but they are not permitted to act as Marshals.