Thousands enjoy carnival weekend

MORE than 8,000 people flocked to Accrington for a carnival weekend featuring three big events.

Accrington’s new £2 million town square, The Ballroom at Accrington Town Hall and Accrington and Rossendale College were all alive with a flurry of fun and excitement for the borough’s first ever Chocolate Festival, Soapbox Challenge and Rally Challenge.

Stall holders served up all kinds of weird and wonderful delicacies including chocolate pizza, chocolate cheese and a chocolate chilli gin created especially for the day. Around 125 children attended Miss Wonka Workshops in the Town Hall and more than 500 free bars of chocolate were given away.

Entertainment was provided by Hot Chocolate tribute singer Gee Bello and 18 children competed for the Chocolate Wrestling Championship title with Keiran, age 10, the winner.

Paul Williams, owner of Choc Amour, said he was ‘pleasantly surprised’ with the turnout. He said: “I sold out of over 300 products in just a few hours which is incredible. I know other stall holders sold out of product as well. For the town’s first Chocolate Festival it was great and I’m looking forward to returning next year.”

Brave contestants competed in their hand-crafted soapbox vehicles at the Soapbox College. Visitors were also treated to rally demonstrations throughout the day from Group B Rally Cars.

Zahida Shamim, events director at organisers Scott Dawson Advertising, said: “The event was incredibly successful with over 8,000 people coming into the town throughout the day. We are planning on making this an annual event.”

Pictures by Joel Goodman

Crowds gathered to watch daring competitors get behind the wheels of their hand-crafted vehicles to take part in

the Soapbox Challenge

Chocolate and sweet themed accessories sold over 150 items

Eshan Imran, 7, Alisha Imran, 5 and Safina Saddiq, 10, have an ice cream

Umpa Lumpas join Hot Chocolate tribute artist Gee Bello

Clark Beeston, two, behind the wheel of a vintage Police Landrover

Harrison Barnard, one, and his Aunt Jemma Bolton dance

Aliyan Chaudhary, 14 months, with a bust of Queen Elizabeth II

Keiran, age 10 from Baxenden was the Chocolate Wrestling Champion

Paul Sahu and Ballari Ghosh enjoy the sunshine in the Town Square

The Choc Amour stall had sold out of products by 2pm

Dylan Hanson, two and Scarlett Hanson, five, with a balloon

Over 100 chocolate and cake scented slimes were made at the festival

Ice cream seller Kash Akhtar gets a chance to dance

George Austin, two, on a slide

Miss Wonka held town hall workshops

Sock wrestling finalist Elijah Saxton, 6

Joseph Jarrat, 4, eating an ice cream