The seaside landed inland on Saturday as The Mall Blackburn’s two-week beachy bonanza of free arts and crafts burst into life.
Little shoppers enjoyed a weekend of nautical-themed fun with turtle and octopus puppets and seaside balloon modelling topping the bill on Saturday and Sunday.
Starting on Saturday August 13 and running through until Friday August 26, there is much more fun to come with hanging jellyfish, snapping sharks, ice cream fridge magnets and light-up lighthouses to name but a few.
In addition, The Mall is home to a series of sand sculptures as part of Blackburn BID’s town centre trail.
Six-year-old Anaya Farrukh from Blackburn visited with her mum Afshah and enjoyed taking part in the activities.
Afshah said: “We always come to the events at The Mall, there is always something exciting to keep the kids entertained and, what’s more, it is free.”
General manager at The Mall Blackburn, Loraine Jones, said: “Our free Summer Daze arts and crafts were an instant hit this weekend and it was wonderful to see so many children having a fabulous time.
“The live sand carve in Victoria Court really drew the crowds too and we spotted lots of people taking part in the town centre wide trail.
“While we have enjoyed some amazing sunshine recently the forecast is mixed for the rest of the week - but this is one trip to the seaside that the great British weather definitely cannot ruin.
“We’re delighted to be offering completely free activities during the summer holidays as we know how expensive it can be for parents.
“We look forward to seeing lots more children having a fantastic time here in The Mall.”
Here’s the jam-packed activity schedule:
- Monday (August 15) Jumping sea creature scenes
- Tuesday (August 16) Hanging jellyfish
- Wednesday (August 17) Snapping sharks
- Thursday (August 18) Sea creature wands
- Friday (August 19) Porthole pictures
- Saturday (August 20) Sea life window decorations
- Sunday (August 21) Handheld windmills
- Monday (August 22) Seaside glitter tattoos
- Tuesday (August 23) Ice cream fridge magnets
- Wednesday (August 24) Air Sea Rescue moving helicopters
- Thursday (August 25) 3D crab art pictures
- Friday (August 26) Light up lighthouses
The free Summer Daze arts and crafts activities will take place between 11am and 4pm in the unit between Poundbakery and Muffin Break.
On Friday August 12 a three-day live sand sculpture carve took place in Victoria Court in The Mall and the final result forms part of a sand sculpture trail around Blackburn town centre. Trail maps can be collected from The Mall’s Ask Me Point.
The stunning sculptures will be located in Victoria Court, Trespass, Primark, Clarks and Rhode Island Coffee in The Mall as well as in Utilita on King William Street, Althams on New Market Street, Grays Schoolwear on Northgate, Blackburn Central Library, Mad Hatters Tearooms on Town Hall Street and Morrisons on Salford.
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