Festival of Lights to brighten Falinge Park

Some of the lanterns in progress

Falinge Park will be brightened up on Friday 29 November for the first-ever Festival of Lights.

Hosted by Vintage Worx, the Festival of Lights will brighten up the park as local groups, businesses, and individual residents showcase their handmade lanterns in a spectacular procession around the grounds.

Food stalls and children's activities will also be on offer to compliment the entertainment by Roch Valley Radio and Skylight Circus.

The festivities will continue on Sunday 1 December where people will get another chance to see the handmade lanterns as they take part in the Festival of Angels at Rochdale Town Hall.

The parade will take place in front of Rochdale’s most iconic building and weave itself up to the Great Hall, transformed into a Winter Wonderland setting by Touchstones, where the Mayor of Rochdale will present awards for the lanterns in a number of categories.

Tracie Powers, of Vintage Worx, said: “Local groups and businesses can still sign up to make lanterns and take part in this event.

“All materials are provided free, thanks to Rochdale Council. Lanterns can be as simple or as complicated as you like and we have an experienced lantern-maker, should anyone need some pointers.”

The festival is made possible through a partnership between Vintage Worx, Rochdale Borough Council, Rochdale Development Agency and Touchstones, and is funded via a grant through Rochdale Township.

If you want to take part in the Festival of Lights, please contact Tracie on 07760 354 698.

• www.rochdaleonline.co.uk/events/60959/events-in-rochdale/falinge-festival-of-lights-parade