Bring the bunting, it's the Leyland Festival

The Leyland Festival spectacular will be taking place on Saturday June 18, with a super hero theme.Live entertainment will start at 11am in Hough Lane and Towngate, Leyland, with a parade from noon, finishing at Worden Park, where there will be a host of fun activities.The festival has been a major part of the Leyland calendar for generations and one vital part that was missing last year has returned.Doreen Howard has painstakingly hand cut and sewn the 2,000 metres of bunting that now lines Hough Lane and Towngate up to the Cross. Her dedication is driven by the passion she shares with her daughter Isobel Pickering, chairman of the Leyland Town Team and local retailer, Paces and Laces. Isobel said: “Feedback from locals called for festival traditions to be brought back and the bunting is one thing that many people mentioned fondly. It was always part of the backdrop to the parade and will be again this year thanks to mum!”Martin Carlin, part of the Leyland Town team, said: “Last year the bunting was not there so we have taken it upon ourselves to make sure there was. It clearly identifies the fact the festival is around the corner.“The festival is part of Leyland’s heritage. It originated from Leyland Motors and it has got bigger each year. “It is a celebration of the many local people, volunteers, local businesses and community groups who pull together to make sure the festival continues to go from strength to strength each year.“People have a great passion for it. It puts Leyland on the map.”This year Leyland Festival will host a new car show with more than 100 cars to admire and judge. Families can also enjoy the ever popular Paw’s in the Park show from noon, as well as a fun fair, children’s workshops, climbing wall, assault course, zorbing, theatre shows, entertainers and live music from Rock FM.Local groups performing on the main stage include Dance Talent, Tracey Rigby Dance School and Millie Mae Hill.Celebrating its 120th year of truck making in the town, Leyland Trucks is proud to still be supporting the Leyland Festival.Steve Whelan, events and media co-ordinator at Leyland Trucks, said: “As a celebration of all that is Leyland, its people, volunteers, local businesses and community groups, what better way to celebrate our 120th anniversary than with the biggest and best Festival in the 60 years we have been supporting it.”Entry to Worden Park is £3 from 11am with under 16s free.Fast track tickets are available via www.skiddle.com and local shopping outlets in the town centre. Alternatively tickets can be bought on the gate for £3 per person, under 16s go free.Regular updates are being posted on our facebook page www.facebook.com/leylandfestival and website www.leylandfestival.com.