Drummers and lantern makers blazed a trail through Blackburn to bring light and warmth to a chilly town centre last night.
Weeks and months of preparations shone through as the 2022 Festival of Light dazzled townsfolk, with activities throughout Saturday, an illuminated windows trail and a grand parade to top it all off.
Back for the second time after a virtual parade in 2020, due to the pandemic, several colourful creations were given their first airing in the December skyline.
Later a festival spokesman paid tribute to the crowds which assembled in King William Street and along the parade route.
Once the festival had wound own, the spokesman said: "The team at Blackburn Festival of Light would like to say a massive thank-you to everyone who came along and supported us this evening. We hope you all had an amazing time."
The imaginative fiesta is brought together by the Bureau Centre for the Arts, working with the borough council, Blackburn BID and supported by Arts Council England funding.
For the past few weekends workshops have been busy creating lanterns and practising performance pieces for the parade.
The Making Rooms was crucial to the operation on Saturday, with bird and badge-making opportunities all day today, with Blackburn Museum also hosting paper lantern sessions.
Lanterns were collected from the Exchange in King William Street ahead of the parade forming in Ainsworth Street, following a circular route up Church Street and around to the town hall square.
Performers from the festival’s street band, first formed in 2018, were be joined by stilt-walkers and dancers, as well as dozens of lantern-makers.
Bird Party projection pieces were in the square, by artists Jack Lockhart and Kerris Casey St Pierre, alongside community submissions.
An illuminated window trail, featuring everywhere from the Making Rooms and the Drummers Arms, to Blackburn Library, Greenhouse Hobkirks, Age Concern, M&S and the bus station helped to light the way.
Works by featured artists Dale Cocker, Leonie Stephenson, Calum Heywood, Laura Van Tatenhove, Ian Halawi, Julia Swarbrick, Emma Clarke and Janine Walker were lined up, with key contributions from student creatives.
For the finale, the Travelling Light Circus and Flame Oz dazzled the crowds with pyrotechnics, as the LED and Fire Dancers, featuring routines cooked up in Shad Hub, added their own sparkle.
Jazz bands and drummers brought Blackburn town centre to life
Share