The big screen being set-up for the day’s fun viewing

On Saturday 25 October Mums, Dads, grandparents and kids flocked onto Preston’s Flag Market which had been transformed into a fabulous outdoor cinema with fully stepped covered seating to watch four different movies which were all shown free of charge during the Familyfest day organised by Preston Business Improvement District (Preston BID).

Mum and daughter meet the Frozen Princesses, Elsa and Anna

To add to the authenticity of the occasion, free popcorn and drinks were given to each and every person who attended the movies. Before each showing there was a chance for the kids (and parents) to meet some of their favourite characters from the films.
For Disney’s Frozen, there was an appearance of Elsa and Anna the two princesses and an opportunity to have photographs taken with them as was the case with some of the other movies and the associated characters, those being Lego people for the Lego Movie and Willy Wonka and an Umpa Lumpa character for the good old movie Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory.

Conjurer, Barrington Powell, astounds a young man with an amazing trick

This young man in the centre certainly found this character very amusing

John ‘Gilly’ Gillmore on hand to give out the prizes to the winners of the balloon contest

Among other activities featured during the day’s festivities was  Barrington Powell, a ‘Conjurer extraordinaire and a Fellow of Infinite Jest’. Barrington definitely kept everyone enthralled with his fantastic tricks and fast and furious zany humour and without a doubt, the kids absolutely loved him.
Throughout the day, John ‘Gilly’ Gillmore of Radio Lancashire was on hand to keep the festivities going by introducing the guest appearances and each of the movies.

Scenes from the fun packed day can be viewed on the Flickr slideshow courtesy of Gill Lawson.

Did you see a free film on Saturday at the Familyfest? Let us know in the comments below.