Preston’s annual Egg Rolling programme and egg competition got off to a cracking start at the official launch on Avenham Park on Monday (19 March).
AdvertisementEgg-cited children from Stoneygate Nursey and St Stephen’s Primary School, along with councillor Peter Kelly and members of Preston City Council, were joined by Plucky the giant Chicken from Thingumajig Theatre in order to kick-off the Easter season.
The children were given chocolate eggs and got to practice their egg-rolling down the famous Avenham Park hill before being told details about this years’ competition eggstravaganza.
The competition, called #PrestonEgg, will run for the next two weeks, ending at the official Egg Rolling in Avenham Park on Easter Monday.
Four huge papier-mache eggs, created by Hebden Bridge artist, Kerith Ogden, will be hidden in different venues across the city, and anyone wanting to enter the competition will have to find the eggs and take a selfie with them.
They will then have to bring their selfies along to the Egg Rolling on 2nd April where they’ll be judged, and winners given a chocolate egg to roll.
Entrants are also encouraged to post their selfies on social media using the hashtag #PrestonEgg.
Clues to the egg’s whereabouts will be posted on the, Preston, the Guild City, Facebook page over the next fortnight.
Preston’s Egg Rolling attracts thousands every Easter and has a colourful history dating back hundreds of years.
Crowds of devout egg-rollers flock to Avenham and Miller Parks to roll their eggs down the hills and enjoy the entertainment and activities on show.
Last year’s event amassed more than 20,000 people, creating a community vibe in the heart of the city and making it a real egg-stra special, family day out.
Councillor Peter Kelly said: “People egg-spect big events in Preston and they want a city they can believe in.
“Events like this are part of the city’s identity and to get more than 20,000 people on the park is fantastic.”
Read more: Hunt for treasure with the Easter bunny in St Catherine’s Park
This year’s Egg Rolling will feature live music, a family fun fair, food stalls, theatre performances and of course, another appearance by Plucky the giant Chicken.
Activities commence at 11am on Easter Monday, 2nd April, and will finish at 4pm, with egg rolling taking place on the hour, every hour.
Preston City Council’s Cultural Officer on the Events Team, Rita Whitlock, added: “We are looking forward to seeing everyone on Easter Monday!”
For more information about the #PrestonEgg competition and for a full list of programme times visit www.prestonguildcity.co.uk or @prestonguildcity on Facebook.