Families bask in sunshine at Easter in Colne event

Easter in Colne returned for a second year following the success of the 2023 edition.

Crowds packed into Market Street to take part in the family-friendly activities and visit the many stalls that lined the street outside Colne Market.

Hartley Square was filled with kids’ funfair rides and food vans, and the top of Market Street was closed off for magic and circus performances.

The rest of Market Street was lined with stalls selling everything from jewellery to toys, with other local businesses and organisations in place as well, including the Accrington Pipe Band who performed outside the library.

Other activities included donkey rides, face painting, crazy golf, rodeo sheep, archery, and balloon modelling.

There was even a surprise visit from the Easter Bunny themselves, while Willy Wonka and his Oompa Loompas were spotted wandering the street and greeting families.

For what felt like the first time in weeks, the weather held up and the sun shone down on Colne as families from the town as well as further afield made their way to the corner of East Lancashire.

Cllr Mary Thomas, chair of Colne Town Council, said: “Today was absolutely fabulous and a real success. Everyone was in high spirits.”

Crowds lining Market Street in Colne (Image: JJR Video Productions)

Craig Edwards, one of the traders at the event, said: “What a lovely way to kick off the Easter holidays. Another fun-filled event for Colne, one of the busiest events to date here. We can’t wait to be back.”

Gina Langley, the town council’s clerk, added: “A gorgeous sunny day brought lots of locals and visitors to our town to celebrate our lovely Easter event. A huge well done to the team for putting on a fantastic event.”

Nathan Cutler, the council’s events officer, said: “There were crowds from early on and the sun was shining. As always there was such a wide variety of activities on offer, many of them absolutely free, meaning lots of happy families.”