A festival celebrating the 60s triumphantly returned for its 10th year at a special relaunch event.

The Rossendale 60s Festival has been interrupted in recent years due to Covid and the death of Queen Elizabth II, but organisers introduced a new event for 2023 called Sixties On The Square, held in Rawtenstall.

The event was a collaboration between Rossendale Radio and the festival organisers, and it aimed to embrace the 1960s era and underline what is important to the Rossendale community.

Community groups, charities, and national organisations were invited to take up a stall in Rawtenstall town square to raise their profile, fundraise, and recruit.

Lancashire Telegraph: The Rossendale 60s Festival held in Rawtenstall town centre

There were no food and drink stalls at the festival with the aim instead to boost sales for local businesses – and many reported increased turnover.

Talented musicians from across the area were also invited to perform, including Rossendale Male Voice Choir, the Rossendale Ukelele Band, Eoin Kelly, and John Gallagher, as well as headliner Lareena Mitchell as Dusty Springfield.

Organisers were inundated with positive comments both in-person and on social media, all encouraging them to repeat the Sixties On The Square event in 2024 and beyond.

Jean-Marie Eaton, from RSPCA Bury, Oldham, and District, who had a stall at the event, said: “We as a charity had one of our most successful days we’ve ever had in the last few years fundraising for the charity.

Lancashire Telegraph: The Rossendale 60s Festival held in Rawtenstall town centre

“We made far more than we expected along with having the best fun, great surroundings, exceptional entertainment, and much more. We can’t thank you enough for our invite and you can be sure we will be there next year.”

Cllr Andrew Walmsley, Mayor of Rossendale, added: “Massive congratulations for the Sixties On The Square Event. We had a great time and everyone we spoke to said what a fabulous event it was.”

David Hollows, from Rawtenstall Town Centre Churches Team and Antioch, said: “Thank you for inviting us to be involved and we look forward to next year. I also applaud your determination to not involve vendors in the area as this made it so much more of a community event rather than a sales opportunity.”