AS THOUSANDS of people prepare to descend on Blackburn, festival fever can be felt in the town as preparations for the event of the year take place.

Last year, more than 40,000 people from all over the country came to the town to experience the Festival of Making, and this year’s affair is set to be even bigger and better.

Taking place over two days, it is the UK’s only large-scale festival of making and encompasses art, music, food, craft, design, heritage, technology, science and much more.

More than 50 workshops, street performers, demonstrations and exhibitions will take place throughout the weekend, but with so much to do we have compiled a handy guide of the 10 things you should not miss.

1. Open Tower at Blackburn Cathedral

It towers over the town and is one of the first buildings to greet visitors as they step off the platform at Blackburn Station, but how many people have experienced the delights of one of Blackburn’s most iconic landmarks?

In a bid to become the ‘noisiest festival ever,’ Blackburn Cathedral will be holding an ‘open tower’ for visitors with no fear of heights or narrow staircases to inspect its bells and, in a rare treat, have a go at ringing one or two. With groups limited to only eight for the 45-minute experience, space is tight, and booking is advised on arrival.

2. A visit to the Taste Lancashire Food Producer’s Market

If you are from Lancashire, chances are you will want to show support to all the local wonderful producers attending the festival, but the Taste Lancashire Market will also provide the perfect opportunity for out-of-towners to see for themselves what the county has to offer.

The market will champion some of the best of the county’s food and drink from award-wining gins, oils and cheeses to cakes, honey and fruity drinks. Make sure you get a try of everything on offer before you make the all-important decision of what to buy.

3. The Maker’s Marquee

Enter the Maker’s Marquee for a few hours of fun for the whole family — once you’ve walked around the town you may decide it is time to sit down and get stuck into something a little more creative. With something for the whole family, the Maker’s Marquee will be the place to do just that.

Giant drawing machines will allow the discovery of engineering, maths and arts in cycling with geometric drawing machines made from old bicycles. Or why not learn the skill of rag rugging with Fawziyah Raja?

4. What the college has to offer

Blackburn College will be hosting a range of activities to celebrate the festival, with a particular focus on creative and cultural skills including screen-printing, badge making and neon drawing.

One of the highlights of what Blackburn College is going to offer is sure to be their bricklaying workshop, which will allow everyone to join in with a hands-on taster session.

5. An old favourite — The Cardboard Cinema

After last year’s event, everyone who visited the cardboard cinema was blown away by their experience and organisers have announced the attraction will be back again this year.

Artist Hannah Fox will usher you into an immersive experience. Part-theatre, part-installation, grab your tickets and popcorn and settle in for a 10 minute showing.

6. Enter the Doctor’s world

Eagle-eyed residents may have already spied the Doctor Who experience on Cathedral Square, which has been set up in anticipation of this weekend’s event.

Put on by the BBC, Doctor Who: The Runaway VR Experience will allow fans to step inside a virtual reality version of the TARDIS for the very first time. Limited walk-up tickets will be available over the weekend, so fans of the doctor will have to be quick to get their spot.

7. Sit down and have a chat

With all the excitement of workshops and exhibitions, some may be ready for a sit down with a cup of tea. But there is no need to sit down in silence while at the festival, as a full programme of talks has been carefully created so there is something to interest everyone.

You can listen to some of the most recognisable names in fashion, design, art and manufacturing in a series of free talks and panel discussions. For a full list of all speakers, make sure you pick-up a programme upon arrival at the festival.

8. A glimpse into the future

A special market for curators of the future, providing a free platform for anyone under 20-years-old to sell their upcycled products, will be in full-swing over the weekend.

For your chance to meet some of industry’s big names of the future, make sure you pop along for a visit and to support the younger generation taking part.

9. Time for a nibble…

Free 45-minute cooking sessions will be taking place over the weekend, with keen foodies ready and waiting to teach you how to cook nutritious, wholesome food.

Offering tips about affordable cooking, how to be resourceful and how to make the most of cooking with what is in season, the ‘cracking good food’ event could be the perfect way to spend an hour of your day!

10. Animated spaces

Performed around a unique 3.5m high percussion wheel engineered by Rolls Royce, PULSE! is an adrenaline-fuelled dance and live music production combined with rhythmical flare and heart-in-mouth choreography for all the family to enjoy. Dance through the streets of Blackburn with the amazing BoomBikes, fitted with mobile sound systems. And experience the magic of Bollywood with Ri Ri’s Dance Academy.

A full run down of everything going on this weekend is available to view online at festivalofmaking.co.uk

You can also pick up a copy of a programme from one of the festival’s many volunteers.