10 things to do in Lancashire over the weekend...

FREE AND PAID: International Soul Festival and Scooter Rally, June 17 to 19

The inaugural Blackpool International Soul Weekender will take place at the Winter Gardens, Blackpool, with performances by

Betty Lavette, Dee Dee Sharp, Bobby Hutton and Gerri Granger. Musical direction will be from Snake Davis and the Suspicions, and there will be six rooms of music and events. Tickets 44. On Saturday, St John’s Square will be filled with scooters from all over the country, which is free.

FREE AND PAID: Freckleton Club Day, Saturday June 18

Procession starts at 9.30am from Lytham Road, returning to School Lane for the crowning ceremony at Freckleton C of E School. The youngsters then walk to Holy Trinity Church’s children’s graves to lay wreaths, before going to Bush Lane playing fields for a sports day at 2pm. On Sunday, there is a two-mile family fun run. Entry is £2. In the evening the village’s churches will take part in a Songs of Praise event.

FREE: Fleetwood Carnival, Saturday June 18

The festivities start at 10.45am, with the crowning of the Queen, followed by the judging of fancy dress and floats. The parade will start at 1pm, from Esplanade near the Marine Hall, returning to the Marine Hall. There is no fee but donations are welcome as people will be collecting money to go towards next year’s carnival and to treat approximately 50 Fleetwood senior citizens to a Christmas lunch at the New Boston Hotel.

Marshals are still needed to help at the event - call Ann on 01253 850080 or e-mail [email protected] to volunteer your services.

FREE: Preston Military Show, Saturday June 18

Fulwood Barracks hosts an open day and military show from noon. There will be a selection of large military vehicles to view; a horseback military skills display; Red Arrows experience simulator ride; military and cadet marching bands; music from the Shree Muktajeevan Swamibapa Pipe Band and a climbing tower,

Families are welcome to attend and enjoy a host of activities and see what Fulwood Barracks has to offer.

FREE: Burscough Heritage Weekend, Sunday and Sunday June 18 and 19

The family event marks the 200th anniversary of the completion of the Leeds/Liverpool canal. Burscough Wharf, in Ormskirk, will come alive with the sounds, sights and smells of old canal boats, fairground rides, lorries, horses and carts, crafts and music. Activities include a charity raft race on the Sunday in aid of Lancashire Association of Boys and Girls Club, a Historic Boat Festival, and craft displays.

PAID: Scorton Steam Fair, Saturday and Sunday June 18 and 19

The biggest steam fair in the North West hosts more than 600 exhibits of vehicles at Woodacre Park Farm, in Gubberford Lane. Attractions include a motorcycle display, lawnmower racing, trampolines, crafts, a food hall and fairground rides. The Saturday Night live music will be indie/folk band The Woodsmen. Entry is £10 for adults, £5 concessions and under 10s are free. For tickets visit www.scortonsteam.co.uk

FREE: St Catherine’s Hospice Yellow Garden Fete, Sunday June 19

A family fun day will be held at the hospice garden, in Lostock Lane, Lostock Hall, with garden games, a bouncy castle, army vehicles and a visit from the Disney princesses. The grounds will be decorated with yellow ribbons, with a message from someone who has lost a loved one. The fete takes place from 11am to 4pm. With limited parking, a shuttle bus will operate from Leyland Trucks on Croston Road.

FREE AND PAID: Ribchester Field Day, Saturday June 18

The 56th annual event boasts a full weekend of activities, starting with The RATS (Ribchester Amateur Theatrical Society) performing a variety and cabaret show in the marquee on Friday at 7.30pm. Tickets are £6. Field Day is on Saturday with the three-band parade starting from Bee Mill at 1pm. Attractions on the field include Bernie Bennett Comedy Tightrope, Ribchester morris dancers and the crowning of new Field Day Queen. Entry is free, Saturday night in the marquee will host band Sounds Of The Sixties. Tickets £5. Festivities culminate with an afternoon tea party and volleyball on the recreation ground on Sunday from 2pm-4pm.

PAID: Strawberries and Steam, West Lancashire, Sunday June 19

West Lancashire Light Railway, in Station Road, Hesketh Bank, is offering strawberries and cream, two engines in steam, plus a strawberry shy, fairground ride and more.

Children can enter the free strawberry puzzle competition. The fun is from 11am until 4pm.

Entry is £3 for adults, £3 for children, £3.50 for seniors and a family of four is £12.

FREE: La Dolce Vita - Il Festival Italiana, Bilsborrow, June 17 to June 26

Guy’s Thatched Hamlet has been transformed into an Italian taverna, with live and dancing music.

Ristorante Aqua Pazza - The Canalside Italian Restaurant - is open noon until 10pm for Italian dining and people can stroll along Bacaro del Getto d’Acqua and visit the back street bar, with authentic street food. Open from 10am to 9pm. Entry is free - with options to buy food and drink.