Young people take the lead as Encounter Festival returns

A series of exciting games and challenges for young people will take place at this year's Encounter Festival - all designed and organised by a group of young producers.

- by Mike Hill

The unique outdoor event will see Birley Street, in Preston, transformed into a playground of energy and creativity as the Grand Games take centre stage.

The games, created by young people for young people, will feature a lively mix of physical and arts-based challenges.

From 12pm to 2pm on September 20, young people can turn up and take part in an assault course, football darts and an art competition.

The highlight of the Grand Games will be a tug-of-war competition, which will also be open for an adult teams battle.

While team games will require preregistration, the individual games are completely open-just turn up, join in and play.

This is the first time young people have organised a large-scale event at Encounter Festival, formerly Lancashire Encounter.

The project has given several young people a unique opportunity to shape the programme of a major citywide arts celebration.