FREE family festivals held in St Helens and Earlestown town centres over the weekend saw crowds of all ages enjoy an action-packed line up of entertainment.

Staged between 11am and 3pm on Saturday, August 28, the event featured live music, song and dance classes, puppetry, craft sessions from a variety of street performers and entertainers.

The festivities were part of St Helens Borough Council’s partnership with Night Time Economy Solutions, which aim to bring a variety of projects to support businesses with their Covid-19 recovery. Acts at the festival included Thingumajig Theatre’s Hippochondriac, along with a variety of LEGO activities.

Cllr Jeanie Bell, cabinet member for safer, stronger communities, said: “Family Festival was a fantastic way to round off the summer and bring our town centres to life with amazing performances.

“This is the first of three events planned this year as part of our Economic Reset and Recovery Plan, encouraging people to come back to our town centres and support our local businesses who need our help more than ever.”

Jo Cox-Brown, of Night Time Economy Solutions, added that further events will take place in October and December.

n Entertainment in St Helens town centre this Saturday (Sept 4) will see a Classic Car Show and the Citadel Art’s free ‘In The Street’ family festival, featuring shows.

n See page 7