The Fireworks Championships are back in Blackpool!

The skies above Blackpool will be lit up once again this September as the popular  Fireworks Championships return to the resort.

This FREE annual competition has rocketed in popularity over the years and features jaw-dropping displays from some of the most talented and technically gifted fireworks engineers in the world, takes place every Friday night from September 5 to September 26.

This year’s line-up features competitors from Sweden, Austria and Canada as well as display of the best fireworks the UK has to offer on the final night.

The contest this year is in association with media partner Rock FM with star presenter Danny Bee hosting the event each night.

September 5 will see the Swedish team, led by Linders Pyrotechincs, an experienced retailer and display company, make their debut in the competition.

September 12 is Austria’s turn with Lukasser Design Fireworks leading their charge for glory and promising to use the sky as “a canvas without a frame”.

And a week later on September 19, returning competitors Canada will take to the stage with Niagara Falls-based Firemaster Productions, who played a key role in the Vancouver 2010 Winter Olympics Opening Ceremony, showing off their skills.

The final night, on September 26, features a celebration display from the UK’s Titanium team and the announcement of the winner.

The winner will be chosen by a panel of local judges, which will also include one lucky Rock FM competition winner.

The judging this year will take place from Beach House Blackpool which is a perfect venue and location for the judges to rate the display and ultimately choose the overall winner.

This year, the panel will be made up of:

• Peter Sedgwick, owner of North Pier Blackpool
• Cheryl Tchobanian, from Beach House Blackpool
• Councillor Graham Cain, Blackpool Council’s cabinet member for tourism and leisure
• One lucky competition winner who will be chosen by VisitBlackpool and you can enter by going to www.visitblackpool.com/fireworks

Cllr Cain said: “The World Fireworks Championships has become a firm favourite in the Blackpool calendar and always attracts thousands of spectators.

“It makes for a perfect way to start the weekend for those who go along and is also an incredibly skilful and serious technical competition.

“It’s an honour to continue to host such a prestigious event and I look forward to seeing the teams in actions this year.

“The Fireworks Championships are yet another free, family friendly event that everybody can come along and enjoy. It brings tens of thousands of people in to the town centre every Friday and is a great opportunity for businesses to make the most of the extra trade by opening later or putting on special deals.

“I would urge everyone to come along, enjoy themselves and make the most of the restaurants, shopping and fun family attractions that we have to offer.”

A number of local businesses have decided to open their doors later and put on special deals to boost trade during the competition.

Beach House Blackpool is offering a special fireworks package each Friday. In it customers can enjoy a dish relevant to the competing country of that evening, followed by exclusive viewing of the fireworks from the Beach House itself. Prices for the package are £10 for adults and £5 for children, with places available to book from www.beachhouseblackpool.co.uk or by calling 01253 749899.

Toast restaurant on Corporation Street will also be opening until late on each night of the fireworks and have offered a special 50% off deal on pizza, pasta and burgers after 9pm on the Fridays of the fireworks.

The Mandarin Chinese Restaurant on Clifton Street will also open until midnight on the Fridays.

To stay up to date with more offers during the fireworks, go to www.visitblackpool.com/fireworks

All displays subject to suitable weather conditions.

ENDS

NOTES TO EDITORS:

VisitBlackpool is the tourism arm of Blackpool Council and is tasked with promoting the UK's most popular holiday destination to leisure and business visitors, both domestically and internationally.

Blackpool’s Back

Merlin Entertainments – which runs a host of attractions in the town including The Blackpool Tower, Madame Tussauds and Sea Life – together with Visit Blackpool, are driving the exciting family-focused awareness campaign to re-energise the iconic seaside resort.

The initiative #Blackpoolsback aims to challenge any negative perceptions of the resort, by reminding families of everything Blackpool has to offer.  This includes an unrivalled concentration of world-class family attractions, an award-winning beach as well as a summer packed with exciting events.