The first time Dad brought us to see the Blackpool Illuminations display, including the illuminated trams, I thought it was the most incredible thing I’d ever seen; that trip was an annual highlight for many years. Since the 70s, the display has been updated to include real flames, lasers and LED lights, but it’s also kept well-remembered displays from those latter years.
Now an iconic illuminated vehicle parade will grace the Promenade on Thursday 26 October 2017, forming a highlight of the Festival@Lightpool event, happening between Wednesday 25 and Friday 27 October 2017.
The illuminated trams join three night’s entertainment happening between 5pm and 7pm including: Spark! by Worldbeaters Music – a thrilling show combining high-impact drumming, superb choreography and lighting; and for the first time in Blackpool, the talents of AFISHAL featuring his own dance re-mixes using specially-engineered drums, with the show being projected onto the Tower Buildings.
3D Lightpool shows will continue to grace the Tower Buildings for the Illuminations period. They will feature five shows including the three headliners – Down the Rabbit Hole, Chasing Stars (featuring astronaut Tim Peake) and Enchanted Blackpool.
The illuminated trams parade – battleship HMS Blackpool, Western Train and Fisherman’s Friend Trawler – will depart the Pleasure Beach stop at around 5pm, travelling to Bispham before returning to its start point some hour and a quarter later. It will slow to allow for photography as it passes the Tower Headland.
Bryan Lindop, Head of Heritage at Blackpool Transport, said: “The illuminated trams are unique to Blackpool. They contribute to the Illuminations every year and now we’re going to tackle the challenge of operating them as a spectacular convoy. Working with VisitBlackpool to achieve this was too exciting an opportunity to miss. Every year, the Lightpool Festival gets more dynamic and my team and I are proud to play a part.”
Cllr Campbell, Deputy Leader of Blackpool Council, added: “We are delighted to work with Blackpool Transport to offer a unique October half-term holiday spectacle. Lightpool will bring internationally-acclaimed performers to the Promenade and the illuminated trams parade itself will be a sight not to be missed. We hope that the free entertainment, including extraordinary projections will encourage visitors to leave their vehicles and experience all that the resort has to offer on foot.”
If you’d like to be on the trams, tickets are available from 01253 209521 or emailing [email protected] They are £8 adult, £4 child or £20 for a family of 4 (including a £1 booking fee). The illuminated trams will return to normal service when the parade is over.
If intending to watch the show, the ideal viewing area is the Comedy Carpet, directly in front of Blackpool Tower. The Blackpool Illuminations and LightPool run from 1 September to 5 November 2017. Stretching for five miles, the display attracts up to 3 million visitors annually, accounting for a £275 million local economic boost. For more information www.visitblackpool.com/illuminations
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