Darwen Gala 2008 (Saturday 16th August 2008)

The 43rd annual town gala will be held on Saturday 16th August 2008 on Borough Road.

The parade starts at 12.30pm from Anchor Road before making it's way through the streets of Darwen to Borough Road where the Gala will be officially opened by the mayor of Blackburn with Darwen, Coun Mohammed Khan at 1.30pm.

There are set to be lots of events, stalls and parade vehicles at this years event and the long range weather forecast provided by Metcheck.com predicts fine weather albeit with below aveage temperatues of 16 degrees C.

The event is run to provide a free day out for the whole family, to enable local charities to raise money and promote themselves and also to provide a showcase for local talent. Gala chairman John Sturgess said: “There is going to be something for everybody at Darwen Gala."

To add to the atomosphere and allow people to get involved they are encouraged to turn out in fancy dress and walk in the parade. A prize for the best costume will be donated by local fancy dress shop Wizards Den.

Headlining the entertainment this year is one of Europe’s largest and best known dedicated mount-ainbike stunt trials display team - Team M.A.D (http://www.m-a-d.co.uk)

As always there will also be the Darwen Gala Fell Race which takes runners on the 3.7 mile route up to Darwen Tower and back. The race starts and finishes in Bold Venture Park and for £3.50 you get entry into the race and a T-Shirt. Last years race saw Ricky Graham (Horwich RMI) finish first with an impressive time of 23min 18seconds. However, the race is open to anyone willing to join - you don't have to be a competitive runner.

You can view a PDF document of the route via the Darwen Dashers website here: http://www.dashers.org.uk/images/Darwen%20Gala%20Route.pdf

We'd be interested in receiving any photographs you take at this years event, please feel free to email us - we may use them on the site!

In addition to the parade, Team MAD and the fell race there will be stalls and other entertainment on show. Why not show your cupport by attending this years Gala?

Alternatively if you want to get more involved you can book a stall by contacting June on 01254 725958 or enter a float, vehicle or arrange to walk in the road parade ring Bob on 01254 706510.

Team M-A-D in action