CELEBRATE 2009 An overview of this year’s programme identifies some important common themes – Celebrate has been about:  Participation for a wide cross section of our communities  Developing and showcasing local talent  A diverse range of audiences reflecting a broad cultural programme  A programme and brand that’s visible across Pennine Lancashire – more people visiting, shopping in and experiencing our town

CELEBRATE 2009 Celebrate has been about:  Increased PR/press/media coverage over the length and range of activities – wider and consistently positive impact for the borough’s image  Developing work with partners – children’s services input, national events, local traders, corporate PR programme, direct impact on town centre regeneration  Resilience – activities on at many different times; days and weekends – issues with weather effectively dealt with The Celebrate 2009 programme has been a steady, consistent success for the borough

Main Events: A lot of events have large numbers participating as well as spectating – these are the visitor/spectator numbers EventDateAttendanceWeather Opening Event: Let Your Talent Shine! Sat July 11th / 10:00am – 4:00pm 3000 Fair The Celebrate Blackburn RacesSun July 12th / 10:00am – 2:30pm 450 Rain Showers Re:fresh DayWed July 15th / 11:00am – 4:00pm 400 Cloudy/ Rain Showers Community Dance DaySat July 18th / 12:00pm – 4:00pm 100 Cloudy/ Rain Showers Street AthleticsWed July 22nd / 1:00pm – 4:00pm 220 Rain Showers The Blackburn Grand PrixWed July 22nd / 7:00pm – 10:00pm 800Fair Final Night at the PromsSun August 2nd / 8:00pm – 10:00pm 100Indoor event 9,000+ visitors and hundreds of participants

Blackburn community festival begins HUNDREDS turned out for the opening weekend of the Celebrate Blackburn community festival. The three-week free festival opened with Blackburn with Darwen’s first ever Let Your Talent Shine where students across the borough gave festival goers a taste of their talents. July 11 th 2009

Blackburn Art Market July 22 - July 25 “All the traders felt that the market was busier than they would expect on the first week of the holidays and in particular on the Wednesday it was the busiest Wednesday that any of them could remember. - one of the small cafes had sold out by 11am on all 3 days - harry the butcher has said he was busy all week which he wouldn't have predicted - the sweet stall stated that it was the busiest holiday week that they have known”

fashionasian A fashion day featuring the latest fashions from six of the region’s trendiest boutiques took pace at King Georges Hall on Saturday 1 st August 2009 July 31 st 2009