A PARK became a party scene as a popular festival returned to a town over the weekend.

Around 2,000 festival-goers danced the day and night away as Witton Park in Blackburn played host to Wonderland at the Restricted Forest on Saturday.

The dance music event for all ages hosted DJs, stage shows, a fairground and other entertainment.

Music included bounce, hard dance and club classics, while circus acts and firebreathers kept crowds entertained.

There were also rave gear stalls, licensed bars and food kiosks for crowds to sample.

Martin Tomlinson, of event organiser BTID Events, hailed the festival as a ‘huge success’.

He said: “It all went really well and was a big success.

“There was a crowd of around 2,000 people who attended and we teamed up with Restricted Forest to organise the event.

“There was bounce music, hard dance and club classics.

“It was an event for all ages and there was something for everyone.

“We also had circus acts, fire breathers, fairground rides and refreshments.”

The event is one of two Restricted Forest festivals taking place in the town this year, with the second one coming to Witton Park on Saturday, September 8.

It will see three stages, with various artists and acts on stage.

On the Aslan stage, there will be Radio One DJ Charlie Sloth, Jamie Duggan, and Danny T amongst others.

The Hometree stage, hosted by Grenade, will feature artists such as Max Chapman, Intu the Woods and Ainsworth.

And the Pagoda stage, hosted by Retro, will see the likes of K-class, and Shades of Rhythm. A special guest is yet to be announced.

Last year, over the two events, the festival pulled in over 3,000 people from all over the country and organiser are hoping to double that with the two this year.

Mr Tomlinson said he hoped the festival can return to Blackburn for another year after the event in September.

He added: “Blackburn is a town I know and I’m familiar with Witton Park also, so it would be great to come back to Blackburn

“The first of this year’s two festivals has been a huge success.”