Attractions unveiled for Blackburn’s Festival of Making   

More attractions have been announced for next month’s Blackburn’s National Festival of Making including TV architect George Clarke.

The mainly free event, now in its ninth year, on the weekend of July 5 and 6 is expected to attract tens of thousands of people to the town centre.

It will feature a special guest appearance from George Clarke – architect, television, presenter, lecturer and writer, best known for his work on Channel 4’s The Home Show and George Clarke’s Amazing Spaces.

He will be in discussion with Blackburn-raised festival co-founder, Wayne Hemingway.

Another highlight will be performances from a special Nasheed Choir created by internationally-recognised artist Hussnain Hanif who has been working with children from Roe Lee Primary School and St Mary’s and St Joseph’s RC Primary School to create a Blackburn-based ensemble.

A Nasheed is a Westernised form of mid’ha (praise) – a 1,400-year-old tradition rooted in the Sufi practices of Islam.

There will be a ‘Come As You Really Are’ exhibition at Blackburn Museum and Art Gallery by artist Hetain Patel which celebrates hobbies and hobbyists from across the UK.

It includes everything from Spider-Man costumes to pom-pom carpets, firefighters made from citrus peel and even a prized collection of old carrier bags from Blackburn.

The there will also be a Light Organ – audio-reactive installation created by artists Adam Glatherine and Akeelah Bertram and creative technologist Simon Fletcher, that transforms your voice into a symphony of light featuring 38 illuminated acrylic pipes.

Great British Sewing Bee judge, Patrick Grant will host meet and greets at his Community Clothing pop-up shop.

In all there will be more than 50 different festival events.

Lauren Zawadzki, Co-Director of the National Festival of Making, said: “The Festival is the perfect way to showcase the innovation, creativity and fun that can be found in all areas of ‘making’. 

“Imaginations can run wild in workshops and installations across the town centre, surrounded by family friendly live music, theatre performances, informative talks and engaging exhibitions, celebrating the work of some of the UK’s top artists and designers.”

Cllr Phil Riley, leader of Blackburn with Darwen Council, said: “Year-after-year, National Festival of Making attracts record crowds to Blackburn town centre and looking at the line-up for 2025, it’s easy to see why.

“It’s incredibly difficult for any event to cater for a wide and diverse range of people, but the festival does just that – bringing together our communities in the most brilliant way and attracting visitors from literally around the world.

“We are proud to partner with this nationally important event to help ensure much of what is on offer is free to enjoy, including bringing globally renowned artists here to Blackburn.”