The site of Oldham’s new 160-acre eco-park is to hold a free family-friendly harvest festival event this weekend.

Harvest Fest will take place this weekend at Northern Roots, Kings Road, Oldham, OL8 2BJ between 4pm and 9.30pm on Saturday, September 17.

Additionally, a minute’s silence will be held at 6pm to observe the passing of Queen Elizabeth II.

Harvest Fest at Northern Roots is a family-friendly, community event, suitable for adults and children.

The event has been funded by the UK Community Renewal Fund and all activities are free. 

Award-winning outdoor arts specialists Walk the Plank will present their installation Shadowplay for audiences at Harvest Fest. 

Set in a secluded woodland glade on the 160-acre Northern Roots site, Shadowplay will take place as dusk falls over the landscape, conjuring a magical, fire-lit world of shadowy storytelling in an intimate setting.

Walk the Plank is one of the UK’s leading arts organisations, delighting audiences in unusual locations for the past 30 years. Artists and makers work together to dream up and create outstanding moments of outdoor theatre and participatory events that bring people together in public celebration.

Storytelling is at the heart of nearly everything they do, and the arena for their work is the great outdoors.

Shadowplay is free and suitable for all ages, but tickets need to be booked via Eventbrite in advance.

Details and booking links can be found on the Harvest Fest at the organisation’s website.

Visitors to Harvest Fest at Northern Roots can enjoy a range of free activities, including apple pressing with Operation Farm, making shadow puppets with Oldham Play Action Group, harvest crafts with REEL CIC, face painting with Vix Facepainting, and more.

Visitors can purchase a cocktail, craft beer or coffee, a delicious pizza, sweet treat or snack with Re-Pause Coffee, Rocco’s Neapolitan Pizza and the Northern Box Bar.

Northern Roots will also be collecting food donations for Oldham Foodbank at the event.

The food bank is currently in need of tinned fruit, tea, pasta, tinned tomatoes, vegetables and fish, with all donations welcome.