Top 10 things to do in Lancashire at the weekend

FREE AND PAID: Lytham 1940s Wartime Festival, Saturday August 13 and Sunday August 14

Families are invited to take part in a weekend of entertainment, re-enactment and have-a-go fun, as they are taken on a journey from the dark days of Dunkirk, the blitz and hard times on the home front, to D-Day and victory in Europe and Asia. There will be historic vehicles, music and dance, memorabilia, thrilling battles, educational talks and demonstrations.

FREE: Wigan Pride, Saturday August 13

Wigan will hold its first pride event, celebrating the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender community. It is being organised by youth group BYOU based in Wigan and backed by Wigan Council.

It starts at 11am at Market Place in the town centre and promises to be a colourful affair, with live music, comedy and entertainment for the whole family. There will be shops, bars and toilets in the area.

FREE AND PAID: Classic Car Shows, Hoghton and Leyland, Sunday August 14

Car enthusiasts are invited to two classic car events on Sunday. A display of vintage vans, retro buses, and cars, will be at the British Commercial Vehicle Museum, in King Street, Leyland, from 10am until 4pm. Meanwhile, Classic Shows presents the 34th Classic Car and Motorcycle Show at Hoghton Tower, from 10am until 4pm. Admission is £7 for adults, £3 for children, with under sevens free..

PAID: Royal Lancashire Agricultural Show, Friday August 12 to Sunday August 13

Held at Witton Country Park, Blackburn, the event will be a celebration of the British countryside. There will be livestock displays, food and drink, crafts, a huge country life area, and lots of traditional entertainment and avenues of trade stands offering a wealth of goods.

In addition there are exciting ring displays planned and plenty of stands with everything from designer clothing to combine harvesters.

Tickets are £30 weekend pass; £10 adult entry, or £8 concession. Advance tickets are available from http://www.royallancashireshow.co.uk or Blackburn Visitor Centre, Blackburn Market.

FREE: Creative Village, Preston, Saturday August 13

The Preston Flag Market will be transformed into a village of creativity with hands on arts activities for children and families from noon until 4pm.

Crazy professors will be building kinetic sculptures and wacky clowns will be painting portraits, demonstrating their talents. There will also be a creative parade around the Flag Market and through the Harris Museum, plus music, theatre, arts, and storytelling.

FREE: Clitheroe Food Festival, Saturday August 13

Visitors can sample delicious street food and take home the finest Lancashire produce, and listen to live music whilst enjoying a drink from one of the pop-up bars in Castle Street. There is the chance to experience tastings and talks on chocolate, cocktails, wine and beer. The highly popular children’s Culinary Food Academy returns giving young ones the opportunity to become mini master-chefs. The event is open 9am until 4.30pm.

FREE: Seaside Sculpture Day, Morecambe, Sunday August 14

Families are invited to join in the fun at the West End Gardens, Morecambe from noon until 5pm. Children will be given the chance to get creating, designing, building, banging, sawing and re-imagining wood into sculptures at Morecambe’s very first family Seaside Sculpture Day. There will also be music and games.

Entry is free and everyone is welcome to attend.

PAID: Cockerham Village Show, Saturday August 13

Held in Cockerham Village Hall, the show attracts exhibitors from afar and is a wonderful display of colour, with flowers and vegetables. The art and craft sections showcase paintings, needlework and woodwork items, whilst there are also cookery exhibits. There’s great excitement for the children too as they enter into the spirit of things with their own section. Entry is £1, from 2pm until 4pm.

PAID: Grimsargh Flower, Produce and Handicraft Show, Saturday August 13

The popular traditional show at Grimsargh Village Hall has classes for fruit, vegetables, flowers, plants and produce. There are also classes for arts, crafts and photography. A children’s section offers prizes in classes such as pasta pictures and vegetable printing.

Entry is 30p for adults and 10 for children. Judging is from 10am. Doors open to the public at 2pm.

FREE: Historic Tower Tour and Garden Tour, Sunday August 14

King Henry VIII will take guests on a free tour of Samlesbury Hall, Preston New Road, at 11.30am and 2pm on Sunday August 14 and 21. To book call 01254 812010.

Meanwhile, Hoghton Towers has launched a History of Gardens tour. The next two will be Sunday August 14 and Thursday August 25, at 1pm and 3pm . Entry is £5 per person. To book this, call 01254 852986.