Packed line-up announced for Accrington Food and Culture Festival

#AmazingAccrington, organiser of the 2023 Accrington Food & Culture Festival, has announced a spectacular line-up of free activities for all the family at the eagerly anticipated cultural event which takes place on Saturday 3rd June in Accrington town centre.

The festival, sponsored by North Lancs Training Group (NLTG), Hyndburn Borough Council, Financial Affairs and Cardboard Box Company, will be officially opened by the Mayor of Hyndburn at 9:55am, before a sensational day of entertainment including a main stage, war re-enactment, Spitfire flypast, a stunning artistic display showcasing the flags of the world, competitions, the very best of Lancashire produce, continental food stalls, cookery sessions exploring delicious foods from around the world, plus much, much more!

TV and Netflix star Molly Robbins will return to compere an exciting main stage including a number of live cooking demonstrations between 10am – 4pm, featuring Molly herself with her extreme cake decorating skills (10:30am and 3pm), Paul Fox from The Crafty Fox (2:30pm) and main sponsors North Lancs Training Group and their hospitality tutor, Mark Chapman (11:30am).

Ahead of the event, primary school children from across Hyndburn will be invited to take part in a ‘draw your favourite food from around the world’ competition, with the winners set to be announced on the main stage. First place will secure a family meal at The Crafty Fox, second place will win a Finch Bakery voucher, while third place will take home a voucher for Oswaldtwistle Mills.

At 1pm, visitors to the event will witness a spectacular war re-enactment to commemorate D-Day compered by BBC Radio Lancashire’s Stephen Lowe, which will take place in the grounds of St James’ Church and will be concluded by a lone piper from the world famous Accrington Pipe Band. This will be followed by a special flypast over Accrington town square featuring the iconic Supermarine Spitfire at 1:40pm (subject to weather).

Following the incredible flypast, children are invited to step onto Hyndburn Borough Council’s specially commissioned gold Coronation bus where they will receive a free Hershey bar and a little parachute man, to celebrate the 75th anniversary of the famous Candy Bomber, Col. Gail Seymour Halvorsen, an American pilot who gained fame for dropping candy to German children during the Berlin airlift of 1948. Photo opportunities will also be available throughout the day from the bus.

With 250 Hershey bars and 250 parachute men available on a first come first served basis, the activity sponsored by estate agents Pendle Hill Properties, will then see the children drop their parachute men from the top of the bus, creating a spectacle to remember.

Over in Accrington Market and a spectacular display of flags will sit proudly in the centre of the market, with those attending the festival encouraged to take a selfie next to the display between 10am and 4pm, before posting it on social media, with one lucky winner to receive £50.

Cook Stars Rossendale and Blackburn will also be offering three different cooking workshops in the market hall, all suitable for children aged 3-11yrs. The sessions will include a Syrian Falafel Sandwich (11:15am – 11:55am), Asian Veggie Samosas (12:15 – 12:55pm) and Ukrainian Honey Babka (2:15pm – 2:55pm). The sessions are limited to 15 per session and you can secure your child’s place here.

Accrington Market will also host ‘Around the World’ food play activity stalls for the younger members of the audience to enjoy, while there will also be a live stage in the market hall including a DHOL Drummers performance by Northern Dholis at 11am, Clog Dancers at 12pm, and world-renowned Nasheed Artist, BBC Radio Lancashire’s Hussnain Hanif, from 2pm.

Visitors to the festival will also get to explore and savour the very best of Lancashire produce, as well as a fantastic variety of continental foods from around the world, with over 50 food stalls on the town square and broadway between 10am and 4pm, as well as a single decker bus serving alcoholic drinks. There will also be a fantastic continental food market on broadway on Friday 2nd June between 10am-4pm.

There will also be a number of opportunities to enjoy a dance and a sing-a-long, with 1940s singers ‘Christopher & The Robins’ performing live in the grounds of St James’ Church at 10:30am, 11am and 12:30pm. Popular ska band Blowjangles will also be roaming and performing around the event between 12pm and 2pm, while Hopscotch with a Roman Foot Soldier will be on the town square, on the hour.

For what is going to be a jam-packed day of activities and events, visitors will also get to enjoy free fairground rides, as well as the chance to win a free football in the Accrington Stanley Community Trust “score a goal” challenge between 10am and 3pm (first 200 only).

Murray Dawson, chair of #AmazingAccrington, said: “We are absolutely thrilled to announce our exciting plans for the 2023 Food and Culture Festival here in Accrington.

“We were determined to go even bigger and better than last year and we have done just that. This year’s event has something for everyone and we can’t wait to showcase a spectacular display of food and culture from around the world and bring it right here to Accrington.”

Coun Marlene Howarth, leader of Hyndburn Borough Council, commented: “This is going to be one of the best community events of the year here in Hyndburn. The plans are extremely exciting, there is so much going on throughout the day and I can’t wait to see everyone down here in the town centre enjoying themselves and supporting our community be shopping local.”

Sara Britcliffe, MP for Hyndburn and Haslingden, said: “Wow what a memorable day this is going to be for Hyndburn. Not only have we got a Spitfire flypast this year but we are celebrating the amazing food and culture that some people may not have experienced before, but they will get the chance to do just that here in Accrington.”

Gareth Lindsay, managing director of main sponsors North Lancs Training Group, said: “We are delighted to be sponsoring this wonderful event once again. North Lancs Training Group are really looking forward to being involved in this year’s event to not only showcase our catering and hospitality opportunities, but also to celebrate #ShopLocal and all the wonderful food and drink businesses here in Hyndburn.”

Organisers #AmazingAccrington are also inviting visitors to attend the festival in 1940’s dress, as they look to create a fantastic 1940’s scene as part of their war re-enactment and D-Day commemorations. 

For more updates on the 2023 Accrington Food & Culture Festival, visit https://www.amazingaccrington.co.uk/