Ready to Switch On
Switch On of Blackpool Council's world famous illuminations takes place this weekend and it's set to be the biggest ever!
Last night Laurence Llewelyn Bowen unveiled his latest creation ahead of the Switch On on Friday - Glampire.
The original new tableau takes the rock and roll gothic trend and puts several thousand volts through it to make it one of the most fashionable and edgy illuminations that's ever been done. Laurence gained help creating the fashionable feel from daughter Cecile Llewelyn Bowen and god-daughter Mirren Kessling, who certainly looked the part for the unveiling last night.
The star studded event will take place this Friday 03 September from 6pm and if you haven't got a wristband to get in to the main area don't worry, you can still be part of the fun. Just because you cant get in to the main arena (Central Car Park - which is being prepared already) doesn't mean you can't head to that area and be part of the atmosphere. There is also another chance to view the Switch-On show by heading to St Chad’s headland, where a big screen will show all the performances – and the Switch-On – live. Spectators at the screen will also get the chance to watch the Illuminations as they spring to life along the promenade (from approximately 9pm) - something people in the main arena wont get chance to see.
This year one of the biggest stars in the country – Robbie Williams will have the honour of pulling the famous switch and launching the 66 night light extravaganza that will shine nightly until 7 November.
Also on the line up are:
- Russell Watson
- The Wanted
- X-Factor runner-up Olly Murs
- Australian popstrel Gabriella Cilmi whose first single, Sweet About Me, was the most played single of 2009.
- Nell Bryden will also be bringing her unique brand of modern-Dixie to the beach.
- Alesha Dixon
- BOND – the original electric string quartet
- American pop rockers the Plain White T’s,
Then of course when the switch is flicked at around 9pm you can enjoy the illuminations themselves including the newest installations from top celebrity designer Laurence Llewelyn Bowen whose 'Glampire' installation can be found in North Shore near to Bispham.
Things you may not know about the illuminations...
It’s an age old joke but exactly how many men does it take to screw in a light bulb?
Well in the case of the world famous illuminations its not screw in – they are all bayonet capped fastenings and it’s not just one bulb it’s more than a million of them. Then there are the 50 miles of cable needed and the tonnes of fibreglass, steelwork, plywood and plastic that goes in to making the installations and tableau’s.
- The longest ever illumination was the “Merry England” which was made in 1953 and was a massive 850ft long.
- The oldest serving current installation is the Teddy Bears Picnic which is over 20 years old.
- The team starts work installing the lights in April every year and work through the night.
- In 1937 a special illumination was built called “1st Division” to celebrate Blackpool being promoted to the first division.
- This year we have four brand new installations and four updated ones including Brilliance which has a completely new show called “Celebrating Blackpool”
So when it comes to making them and installing them it actually takes around 40 people from the illuminations department to install just one of the bigger tableau’s found in north shore near Bispham.
The Illuminations are of course created to extend the summer holiday season through to November. Without them many of the Hotels that thrive at this time of year would close at the end of the summer holidays. As Blackpool's economy is built around the tourism industry it is essential to ensure we do all we can to attract more and more people to Britains best sea side resort.