The search is on for schools, community groups, bands, entertainers, dance troupes, sports teams, vehicles, walking groups, businesses, charities and more to take centre stage in this year’s Leyland Festival parade.

Renowned for its colour, talent and enthusiasm, the procession has formed a historic part of Leyland Festival for more than 130 years and organisers are promising a bumper parade for 2022, with the festival date coinciding with the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee weekend celebrations.

Leyland Festival takes place this year on Thursday 2nd June – the first day in a special extra-long bank holiday weekend – and has fittingly chosen a ‘Great British Festival’ theme to honour this monarchy milestone.

From our musical heritage to cream team and the NHS up for celebration, festival organisers have opened applications for floats, performances and participants, and are calling for expressions of interest to form part of the iconic parade and help bring carnival spirit once again to the streets of Leyland.

As in previous years, the parade will kick-start its route at 12 noon from the McDonalds roundabout at the end of Hough Lane, travelling through Leyland town centre along Hough Lane, Towngate, St Andrew’s Way, Church Road, before joining Worden Lane into Worden Park.

Those community entries who choose to decorate and enter a float in this year’s procession will also have the chance to win a spectacular pizza party worth up to £1,000. The ‘Best Dressed Float’ prize has been donated by The Flying Pig Pizza Company, with joint-owner Martin Stringfellow also vice-chairman of the Leyland Festival committee. Community floats will be judged on their creativity, impact, enthusiasm, and most importantly, how they portray the Great British Festival theme.

Martin Carlin, chairman of Leyland Festival, said: “The parade is a much-loved part of Leyland Festival, with the procession dating back to May 1889. It’s a real spectacle and showpiece that sets the tone for the entire day. We’re encouraging local people and groups to come forward, apply, and help our community reunite and celebrate during what is a major event in the South Ribble calendar.

“This year’s Leyland Festival will be bigger and better than ever before. Thanks to support from South Ribble Borough Council, we’ve waived the usual £3 in advance and £5 on the day charge to enter Worden park, to ensure local residents, their family and friends, and those who visit from further afield, can enjoy the fun and festivities free of charge.

“Festival participants truly embrace our theme, which this year honours a ‘Great British Festival’. I’m always in awe of how different groups and individuals interpret this and I know that 2022’s procession will be a Great British bonanza that we’ll remember for decades to come.”

Expressions of interest for this year’s festival parade should be made to festival@southribble.gov.uk.

Vehicle enthusiasts and owners who wish to showcase vehicles – be that a hot hatch, supercar, modification or beautiful vintage example – should enquire via Leyland Car Care at https://leylandccc.com/leyland-festival/. A select number of vehicles will form part of the parade, with others exhibiting at this year’s brand-new Worden Motor Village, sponsored by The Fox Group.

Please note, the pizza party prize excludes floats entered by commercial businesses.