Events large and small named as finalists in the Lancashire Tourism Awards 2024
Events large and small named today as finalists in the Lancashire Tourism Awards 2024
Following a year of spectacular and thrilling events in Lancashire, Marketing Lancashire today announced the finalists for Best Small Event and Best Large Event of 2024, as part of the annual Lancashire Tourism Awards. The list showcases the enormous range and appeal of events taking place in Lancashire over the course of a year; attracting visitors throughout the seasons and making a significant contribution to the local visitor economy.
From music and dance festivals, steam train and 1940s experiences, to theatre and flower shows, events that have taken place on canals, in town centres and even in a shopping village, together have delivered an unforgettable year for hundreds of thousands of visitors.
The finalists in the events categories will now be interviewed, along with the other finalists already named in the competition, by a judging panel of tourism, leisure and industry-related experts.
All the winners will be announced at the Lancashire Tourism Awards ceremony in February next year. The finalists announced today are:
Small Event (under 15,000 visitors)
Autumn Steam Gala at Ribble Steam Railway & Museum, Preston
Burnley Canal Festival
Chorley Flower Show
Folk, Roots & Maritime Festival, Lytham
Spot On Festival, Poulton-le-Fylde
The Dukes Park Show – Alice in Wonderland, Lancaster
Thornton Rocks, Thornton in Craven
Large Event (over 15,000 visitors)
Affinity Summer of Fun, Fleetwood
Blackpool Dance Festival
Lytham 1940’s weekend
National Festival of Making, Blackburn
Santa Specials at East Lancashire Railway, Rawtenstall
The Great British Rhythm & Blues Festival, Colne
Commenting on the finalists in the events categories Vikki Harris, Partnerships and Marketing Director of Marketing Lancashire said ‘Whatever the season, events help to grow Lancashire as an attractive year-round destination for visitors, and together make a significant contribution to the sustainability of Lancashire’s visitor economy businesses. This year, we’ve had more applications than ever and our judges certainly have a task ahead of them, deciding on the winners.
‘From unique and large festivals to smaller scale fairs and shows, the county has something for everyone and welcomes audiences and participants from far and wide. Those visitors will often book overnight accommodation, visit other attractions and enjoy pubs and restaurants while in the area, bringing much needed footfall and visitor spend to tourism and hospitality businesses that could otherwise have been much quieter.
‘This list of finalists is a great representation of the kind of events that make Lancashire such an attractive proposition for visitors of all kinds, from all walks of life and from all over the UK and beyond. We look forward to celebrating with the creative and talented teams that make these wonderful events happen, at the awards ceremony in February.’
For a list of finalists in all categories go to lancashiretourismawards.com
Sponsors of the Lancashire Tourism Awards 2024 include: BAE Systems, B&D Printing Services, Blackpool & The Fylde College, Conferences & Events at Burnley Football Club, Creative Technical Installations, Insight6, Lancaster University Management School (LUMS) and LUMS Centre for Family Business, Harrison Drury Solicitors, Lancashire Business View, Lancashire Tea, Links Signs & Graphics, Musique, Northern Print Distribution, Pentland Centre for Sustainability in Business, Total Foodservice.