A major Eid event is returning to a Blackburn park for the first time in two years.

Eid in the Park will take place in Corporation Park as all Covid restrictions are lifted next week.

The family event begins with Eid prayers in the morning on Tuesday July 20.The second Eid of the year is known as the ‘Festival of Sacrifice’ and marks the end of the annual Hajj or pilgrimage to Makkah.

Rules governing communal prayers are being relaxed meaning prayers can be conducted in the same settings before the pandemic. From July 19, masks become voluntary in all settings and the 1 metre social distancing rules will be scrapped.

Over the weekend of July 24 and 25, Eid in the Park festivities continue when a range of stalls and a funfair on offer.

Eid in the Park is being supported by Blackburn Rovers and in previous years manager Tony Mowbray has attended to meet fans.

With the festival taking place outside organisers are hoping people will be able to enjoy their first major event of the year. 

Lancashire Telegraph:

An organiser said: “It is wonderful that we are able to host this event after restrictions have been lifted.

“Eid prayers will be held in the park for the first time in two years. 

“After over a year of lockdowns we invite all the community from all faiths and backgrounds to come along and enjoy the funfair, stalls and activities at the park during the festival on the weekend of July 24 and 25.

"We are still going to encourage to people use hand sanitisers which will be available throughout. Hopefully with the good weather it will be a great success again."

Graham Harris, Leisure Facilities Manager at Blackburn with Darwen Council said: “Blackburn with Darwen Borough Council welcome a return to normality with this year’s Eid in the Park prayer and celebration to Corporation Park.

“This event was cancelled last year due to Covid and we are glad to support the reopening of events and activities.”

Steve Waggott (CEO) at Blackburn Rovers said: “Blackburn Rovers are delighted to once again sponsor the Eid in the Park event which is now firmly established in the Blackburn with Darwen calendar.

"After the event being cancelled last year, due to the pandemic, It is another positive step  to us returning back to some sort of normality.

"This ongoing sponsorship forms part of  our community integration and cohesion work that is predominantly delivered by our award winning Community Trust who have been absolutely outstanding and much needed over the last sixteen months.

"We wish all the organisers and visitors a successful and enjoyable time at the event.”

Blackburn with Darwen recently recorded the lowest Covid-19 infection rate across East Lancashire. The borough, which has seen some of the highest infection rates in the country, has now dropped to having the 85th worst infection rate in the country and has been overtaken by all the other five East Lancashire boroughs.