HUNDREDS of people will be flocking to Marsden this weekend to celebrate the start of spring.
Fire juggling, drums and lanterns will fill the village as the Imbolc Celtic fire festival gets under way.
The pagan celebration, which takes place every year, will be held on Saturday to welcome the spirit of Imbolc - meaning ewe's milk.
The evening event will mark the end of winter and the beginning of spring.
Organiser Angie Boycott said: "The festival has traditionally been held on February 1 or 2. But we do a lot of work with children and if it was held during the week they couldn't go.
"Also, the people involved are volunteers and couldn't take time off work.
"So we have moved the date this year but it is still in the spirit of Imbolc."
About 100 people are expected to take part in the procession, starting at the Standedge visitor centre car park, Marsden, at 7pm.
The parade, featuring costumes, fire and lanterns, will take festival-goers on a walk to a secret destination.
Once there they will be greeted by a fire circus, dance displays and the sound of a community orchestra.
Ms Boycott said: "It is open for anyone to join in. We really want people to get involved.
"The festival gets people out into their local environment at a time when people don't usually go out and it makes them aware about the turning of the seasons.
"The days are starting to get longer and the light is coming back."
A series of workshops have also been held in recent weeks to give people the opportunity to learn how to make lanterns, play drums and "swing" fire.
About 800 people are expected to turn out to watch the procession.
