Line-up announced for popular fireworks events

Teams from Australia, Slovakia and USA will go head-to-head in this year’s World Fireworks Championships Blackpool, it has been announced.

A team from Canada, Feux D’Artifice Orion, put on an incredible display to scoop the prestigious prize last year, seeing off competition from finalists from France and China. This is the second year a team from Canada has won the award.

This year will see one of Australia’s leading pyrotechnic companies, Skylighter FireworX battle it out in a bid to win the title against Slovakia’s prestigious, Privatex Pyro team and USA’s , Rozzi’s Famous Fireworks which was founded in 1895, it is one of the oldest pyrotechnic companies in the world.

The free annual events are among the most popular features in Blackpool’s exciting calendar, featuring jaw-dropping displays – synched to music – from some of the most talented and technically gifted fireworks engineers in the world and attracting tens of thousands of visitors to Blackpool’s famous Promenade.

This year’s events take place every Friday from September 9 with Australia kicking things off before the Slovakia team take to the stage on September 16 followed by USA on September 23.

The winner will be announced during the exciting finale event on September 30 which features a display from the UK’s very own, Titanium Fireworks.

Cllr Gillian Campbell, Deputy Leader of Blackpool Council, said: “The World Firework Championship Blackpool are a firm favourite in the Blackpool calendar.

“They are always incredibly popular and attract tens of thousands of people to the Promenade.

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

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

The contest this year is hosted in association with media partner Rock FM who will provide entertainment on the night for the tens of thousands in attendance.

The winner will be chosen by a panel of local judges including Cllr Gillian Campbell, Peter Sedgewick, owner of Blackpool’s piers and Cheryl Tchobanian from The Beach House Bistro and Bar who again are sponsoring and hosting the judging area this year.

The fireworks will, as in previous years, be fired from North Pier with build up from 7.30pm and shows starting at 8.30pm.

This year, after the show, visitors will be spoilt for choice with the return of the LightPool project. Three new stunning displays have been designed specifically for LightPool this year and are funded by a £2m grant from the Coastal Communities Fund alongside a further investment by Blackpool Council and Left Coast. 

The eye-catching 3D projection shows will be displayed on to the front of the Blackpool Tower buildings from the start of September.  All three of the films, along with two popular shows from last year’s LightPool events, will be available to watch for free from the Comedy Carpet several times every night, with extra performances at weekends and over the October half term.

There is also a fantastic new exhibition at The Grundy Art Gallery – Neon: The Charged Line. This will bring together some of the most internationally renowned neon artworks from the 1960s to the present day.

There are spectacular new arrival points for Illuminations visitors at the north and south gateways to the resort. The LightPool Village is new for 2016 – the Tower Festival Headland will turn in to a destination where visitors can watch the new 3D projection mapping shows on the tower buildings in comfort. Official Illuminations souvenirs and merchandise, refreshments and much more will available from September 7th. The illuminations will shine from September 2 – November 6.

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

All displays and start times are subject to suitable weather conditions. Please allow for plenty of time to arrive at the event, there are plenty of restaurants and eating establishments available in the town centre.