EcoFest, Hyndburn’s green and environmentally friendly festival, will return to Accrington Town Square on Saturday 17 June from 10:00am to 3:30pm.

The free and family friendly festival is organised by The PROSPECTS Foundation, Hyndburn’s community-owned environmental charity.

Entertaining the crowds on the day, will be live music from Haslingden brass band, Blackburn ‘Festival of Light’ samba band, and the UK’s leading Bollywood entertainers, Desi Nach, with one of their award-winning dance routines.

The Babbling Vagabonds Theatre Company and Civic Arts Centre will be performing theatre shows and the Yorkshire Circus will entertain visitors with a street circus and stilt walkers.  St Christopher’s School in Accrington will be showcasing their recycled fashion ‘Trashion’ show and presenting their environmentally themed recycled puppet show.

Go Velo’s ‘Dr Bike’ will be on hand to carry out free bicycle checks and maintenance, and a corner of the festival will be dedicated to heritage crafts, including oak swill making, marquetry and pole lathing.  There will be a chance to make your own bug hotel, bird box, bike powered smoothie and recycled art, along with free face painting and henna artists.  Vegan food, burritos and burgers will be on offer from the Little Vegan stand, plus a selection of ice creams from Mrs Dowson’s.

The PROSPECTS Foundation will have information on local green spaces and environmental initiatives, with free giveaways and information about how people can reduce their impact on the climate and environment.  PROSPECTS Community Energy and Sharenergy will have a stall where people can find out more about the plans for a solar meadow at Coach Road in Oswaldtwistle.

Also taking part in the festival will be a host of local organisations including the Lancashire Wildlife Trust, RSPB, Ribble Rivers Trust, Lancashire Badger Group, Woody (Hyndburn) CIC, East Lancashire Beekeepers, Turtle Bee plastic-free eco shop, Greenpeace, Cambodia Crafts, Hyndburn Council, Move2Change, Community Rail, Active Lancashire, Lancashire Adult Learning, Hyndburn Food Pantry, Super Slow Way, Cosy Homes in Lancashire and more.

Joel Henderson, festival organiser at the PROSPECTS Foundation, said: “EcoFest 2023 is going to be an amazing free event, we have some fantastic environmentally themed entertainment and activities lined up for the day, so come along and join in the fun and tell your friends and family too.”