A festival celebrating the swinging sixties is returning to East Lancashire with a special relaunch event.

The Rossendale 60s Festival, which is now in its 10th year, has established itself as a premier event on the Valley’s calendar, but over recent years, it has been interrupted due to Covid and the sad death of HM Queen Elizabeth II.

As a consequence, festival organisers are taking the opportunity to relaunch the festival, and have introduced a new event for 2023 that will be held in Rawtenstall town square on Saturday, September 9, called Sixties On The Square.

The event is a collaboration between Rossendale Radio and the festival organisers who will be presenting the event on the day.

The Rossendale 60s Festival Sixties On The Square, will include stalls taken up by more than 20 Rossendale community groups and organisations.

There will also be funfair rides, with the main attraction being performances of 60s themed music and dance from a number of artists and groups on the main stage.

The event provides a great opportunity for people to dust off their flares, shorten their skirts and prepare themselves for a fab and groovy weekend of music, art and culture that will take them back to the swinging 60’s era.

As in previous years, there will be a number of venues hosting their own events throughout the Valley. The full festival programme will be published online nearer the date.

As part of the Sixties On The Square event the organisers are holding a 60s fancy dress competition consisting of a ‘Hippie Parade’ where judging will take place and prizes awarded for best outfit. For businesses, a 60s window dressing competition again with prizes to be won.

Live acts confirmed for Sixties On The Square include: The Rossendale Male Voice Choir; The Rossendale Ukulele Band; DLNW DANCE and Fitness; Smokey Top Poetry by Michelle; singer Lareena Mitchell with her Dusty Springfield tribute; and singer Kaitlin Richards and a 60s DJ set from Rossendale Radio presenter Alan Gee.

The festival has been sponsored and supported by Rossendale Borough Council since its inception in 2013, providing both financial and logistical support and continue to do so.

Sixties On The Square is being part sponsored by local businesses including Dansworks Dance Academy of Performing Arts CIC, David Gould Opticians, Althams Travel, Marketfresh Fruit and Veg and Rossendale Borough Council.

Sponsors are still being sought to support the festival, and in return acknowledgement will be included in all publicity for the event.

The organisers are also still looking for bands or a solo artist who can perform 60s music and would like to be part of Sixties On The Square.

For further details, please contact Pete at petesweetmore@hotmail.co.uk

Rossendale 60s Festival will take place over the weekend of September 8, 9, and 10.

Details will be published on the Rossendale 60s Festival Facebook page and will be announced on Rossendale Radio leading up to the event.