Lancashire Encounter is back for 2018

Returning for a second time, the full Lancashire Encounter weekend festival will again light up the city of Preston in September. Funding has been granted to make this year’s festival bigger than ever with a range of acts embracing the city for the three day celebration of arts and performance.

Lancashire Encounter is a weekend to discover, experience and be immersed in a bold and imaginative spectacle of performance, music, street theatre and art.

Grants have been secured from the Arts Council, University of Central Lancashire (UCLan), Without Walls, Community Gateway and the City Council. This funding will contribute towards the artists over the weekend, which will cost approximately £143,000. Sponsors will also be sought for the event.

Highlights from the previous Lancashire Encounter and Brief Encounter have included the UCLan red bike canopy and the amazing giant leading the light procession. These past two events have brought around 36,000 visitors into the city and continues to help build the cultural capacity in Preston.

Councilor Peter Kelly, said:

“Lancashire Encounter is a fantastic event and an amazing weekend for Preston. It is a highlight for the events calendar and ends a fantastic summer of events on the Flag Market.

“The programme is shaping up to be a fantastic mix of performances and experiences from artists and groups across Lancashire, and is also a great opportunity for Preston to show off all that it has to offer.

“We are delighted to have secured funding for this brilliant weekend and hope to once again welcome thousands of people into the city throughout the three day festival.”

SAVE THE DATE: Lancashire Encounter – Friday 21 to Sunday 23 September 2018.