Two weeks today the Olympic Torch will arrive in Blackpool, and here’s where you can see it.

RIDE THE LIGHTS
Get on your bike…Ride the Lights!!
An exciting preview of Blackpool Illuminations between 7pm and 10pm.

Ride at any point along the promenade from Starr Gate at South Shore to Red Bank Road in Bispham. You can ride as much or as little of the route as you are able.

Ride the lights is not a bike race, it’s a fun and FREE bike ride open to all. A great opportunity to get out and about on your bike with both family and friends.

In order to keep safe, there are a few things to remember:

All bikes must have a minimum of one white light at the front and one red light at the back.

It is highly recommended that all participants should wear a cycle helmet.

A responsible adult must accompany all children.

Please be aware that the tramway will be operatinal throughout the ride, take special care in the area around North Pier/Metropole Hotel

Marshalls and First Aiders will be on hand along the route.

Bike Doctors and support vehicles will be on hand to look after breakdowns.

The road will re-open to traffic at 10pm. Please try to plan your ride to reach your destination by this time, and be aware of traffic after this time.

Car Parking: For advice and information on getting to and parking in Blackpool call 01253 478222 or click here.

Charities are welcome to use the event as a fundraiser by encouraging their supporters to participate and get sponsored.

As you get on your bike to ride the lights, why not join in the creative fun by designing your very own Illuminations display on your bike? Decorate your ride with colourful lights, lamps and lanterns to show off your illuminations design ideas. Light your ride… then ride the lights.

Blackpool Fireworks

Blackpool’s Fireworks Championships where the skies above Blackpool will once again light up this September as fabulous fireworks return to the resort.

The event will gather together the crème de la crème of the world’s firework elite and promises a mouth-watering series of shows with jaw-dropping entertainment for all the family – and a great opportunity for visitors to take an extended weekend break.

Build up will commence around 7.30pm Fireworks from approximately 8.30pm. All displays subject to suitable weather conditions.

Competitors

7 September – FAE Pyrotechnie inc – Canada
14 September – Brezac Artifices – France
21 September – Howard & Sons Fireworks – Australia
28 September – Results announcement and non competing display by Kimbolton Fireworks

Autumn just wouldn’t be the same without a trip to Blackpool’s world-famous northern lights – the Blackpool Illuminations. Over three million visitors a year can’t be wrong!

The magical Blackpool Illuminations keep the resort aglow for 66 nights from Friday 31 August to Sunday 4 November 2012

However visitors choose to enjoy this dazzling display, they’re guaranteed a sparkling night, whatever the weather.

The Blackpool Illuminations have been a major part of Blackpool’s attraction since 1879 when they were described as ‘Artificial Sunshine’ and have been a guiding light for visitors to the resort ever since.

Going Greener
On this and every other night of the season, Blackpool’s Illuminations retain the magic and excitement which every visitor experiences on their first trip through the ‘Lights’ as a child. The styles and technology, however are constantly adapting to address the green issues of conservation and energy efficiency.

Since 2002 more LED’s (light emitting diodes) and fixtures have been the standard for all new and upgraded features. These are the most efficient means of generating light available and they are now used in over 30% of the show.

Blackpool Illuminations only use green electricity from renewable resources comprising of wind, small-scale hydro, landfill and Bio-Gas. The procurement of green electricity has reduced the annual Illuminations carbon dioxide emissions to zero, a saving of 420 tonnes per year in the atmosphere.
The event is pushing for carbon neutrality and in May 2007 two wind turbines were introduced on the South Promenade – linked directly to the Illumination supply. These two turbines will generate 3% of the power needed and more turbines are planned. The team are also exploring other renewable options, including solar power, to ensure a bright, green future.

Eeee’ By Heck! The Lancashire Hotpots Are Coming To T’grand!
Take five Northern blokes, dress them in flat caps, get them to sing folk songs about the wonders modern day life and you have the recipe for fun that is The Lancashire Hotpots!
Since forming in 2007 The Lancashire Hotpots have become local heroes! Described by Paddy McGuiness as “the Spinal Tap of folk bands” they have played Glastonbury Festival twice and performed live studio sessions at BBC 6Music for avid Hotpots fan Steve Lamacq. Perhaps even more importantly the band have had real ales named after them and have firmly reinstated the conga as an essential part of everybody’s good night out!

Happy birthday Nickelodeon Land!
SpongeBob SquarePants and all his friends at the UK’s only Nickelodeon Land are having a party in May when the attraction celebrates its first birthday!
On May 4, all 12 rides on Nickelodeon are staying open late as Dora the Explorer and all her pals party with children of all ages.

From 3pm, there will be a chance to purchase a Nickelodeon Land wristband for just £10 and spend the rest of the day at the attraction until 7pm. All other Pleasure Beach rides will close at 5pm.

There will be a cake-cutting ceremony performed by SpongeBob at 4.30pm plus a number of Dance It lessons throughout the event with all the Nickelodeon Land characters.

With its colourful, party-like atmosphere, Nickelodeon Land has been a huge hit with kids of all ages and their families. The £10.3m attraction was opened by David Hasselhoff and features rides such as SpongeBob’s Splash Bash, Dora’s World of Voyage and Avatar Airbender.

The event takes place every Easter in Blackpool. There are mixed teams, or men and women. We have had ‘The Lads Sausage’ team here at The Beechfield for the last 5 years, last year the boys won the event. This year back as reigning champions…. and managed to secure victory yet again!

Yay The Circus is back on, this new show for 2012 will have a wild west theme, so come meet Mooky and Booofallo Bill.
Its runs from 31st March until the 4th November. Boooffalo Bill brings his show to town including acts such as the Russian Swing, Wire Walking, Russian Bar, Horizontal Bar and the infamous Water Finale.

Great fun and excitement for all the family – perfect for the school holidays.