Five things to do this weekend in and around Bolton

Here are our five top things to do or visit this weekend.

BEER enthusiasts are descending on the University of Bolton Stadium this weekend for the 25th Bolton Beer Festival to raise funds for of Bolton Lads and Girls Club.
The event which will have more than 200 real ales, lagers, ciders, gin, wine and Prosecco on the menu for the expected 7,000 visitors.
For the first time organisers are also providing a coach shuttle service with return journeys between the stadium and The Sweet Green Tavern in Crook Street, Bolton, available from £2.
As well as a huge variety of drinks on offer, there will be entertainment, including live music, to add to the atmosphere

THE sky will be lit up on Sunday when Bolton’s Hindu community celebrate the festival of Dusshera. A huge effigy of the multi-headed demon-king Ravana will be burned to symbolise the destruction of evil. Members of Bolton’s Hindu community spent two weekends building the effigy at Shree Kutch Satsang Swaminarayan Temple. Similar to the tradition of burning a Guy Fawkes, the celebration at  Bolton Cricket Club, Farnworth, will also see a spectacular firework display. Beginning at 4pm, the free event will include vegetarian food and a children’s lantern parade. The youngsters will be marching in Lord Rams’ army parade. Lord Ram is a major deity of Hinduism. He is the seventh avatar of the god Vishnu, one of his most popular incarnations. The festival also marks the start of preparations for Diwali, the festival of lights. On October 27 from 7pm to midnight, the festival of Sharad Purnima will be celebrated at Festival Hall in Bolton Town Hall. Also known as Kojagiri Purnima, this is a harvest festival which falls on the first full moon day of the Hindu lunar month Ashvin. For further details contact Bolton Hindu Forum on 01204 238018.

FAMILIES will be taken on a freezing musical adventure as an all start cast perform The Snow Queen at The Alberts Halls.
The feel good show will see the ice enchantress, her sister and their friend battle against Jack Frost to break the ice spell causing a never ending winter
The show starts on Saturday and runs throughout half term call the box office on 0843 2080 500

CHRIST Church Walmsley will open it’s doors as it hold its monthly coffee morning on Saturday. 
The event at the Parish Hall on Blackburn Road Egerton runs from 10am until noon. Entrance is free and parking is available. There will be stalls, including crafts and jewellery, home produce, bric-a-brac and used books as well as light refreshments

A CHURCH in Radcliffe will host a Sunday service with a difference after sending an open invitation for pets to attend. Rabbits, dogs, hamsters and other furry friends will be welcomed through the doors at St Mary's Church in Church Green. Animals big and small will received a blessing during the fourth annual pet service on Saturday, October 20. For the past three years, the event has taken place at St Thomas and St John with with St Philip's Church but organisers have decided to relocate in the hope of attracting dog walkers and visitors to nearby Close Park to the gathering. Rev Elizabeth Binns, team vicar at St Thomas and St. John, said: "It is a fun, friendly service and all pets plus their humans will be very welcome. "As in previous years, I will be bringing my three poodles Harvey, Patrick and Douglas. "Some dogs like to bark along with the hymns — but most think they are in a large vets waiting room so behaviour is generally good. "I am sure Patrick will misbehave so no one else needs to worry about their pet’s behaviour. Still he could surprise me this year." The service will take place at 2pm.