Blackpool Illuminations is Britain’s most famous light show and one of the most iconic sights in British culture. What’s new for 2014…
Alice’s Garden – Co-designed by LLB and the in-house team, this stunning new tableau will be situated by Blackpool Pleasure Beach. Drawing on the story of Alice in Wonderland and, in particular, the Mad Hatter’s Tea Party, the design features a magical water garden and is perfect for those who wish to explore the illuminations on foot. It’s also large, stretching for more than 100ft and features an 8ft bridge. Visit Alice’s Garden one night and take a stroll! Alice Garden is proudly sponsored by the Houndshill centre.
Dynamo – eviivo are proud sponsors of the dynamic and dazzling Dynamo. This road-section of twenty major features, located near to south pier includes multiple and ever-changing spinning colours in a whirlwind of light.
Brain Box– You might need to be a brain box yourself to get in tune with the concept of this piece of art, but here goes! Designed by artist Jo Berry, the Brain Box will be situated at the Cliffs in Bispham. Berry, artist in Residence at Lakeside, the University of Nottingham’s public arts centre, has been studying “neuroimaging” – pictures which show the brain’s function. The installation will be housed in a customised cargo container and will act as a giant interactive light box. People will be able to walk into the container and view the work from a large window, with a metre wide viewing platform. The artwork designed to be placed into this space will involve the fabrication of a series 36 cast acrylic discs which will be hung and will rotate. The discs will be made up of a series of laser-cut layered and coloured images describing different sections of the brain. The work will be lit with an interactive light sequence.
Blackpool school’s design competition, Clean Up Blackpool and Save our Seas tableaux – Blackpool Illuminations has always tried to involve the youth of the community and this year is no different with no less than three community inspired features:
1) Earlier this year the “Friends of Blackpool illuminations” held a competition for school children to design their own tableau and we have had a fabulous selection of entries. Our creative curator, LLB, will pick the winner on Thursday 17 July at the press preview of this year’s display and the winning design will feature in the 2014 show.
2) There will also be a new tableau based on the message – which Blackpool Council hears regularly – to urge residents to work with us to help “Clean up Blackpool”. Again designed by schoolchildren with the winner coming from Boundary Primary School, the new display has a serious message and fun design.
3) And finally another important public service message to “Save our seas and protect our beach” is encouraged by another tableaux created by the seemingly endlessly ever talented Blackpool schoolchildren and again Laurence LLB will select with the finished item which will be displayed in this years show!
The Bradshaw’s come to Blackpool – Classic Lancashire radio comedy The Bradshaw’s first rose to fame on The Gary Davies Show on Piccadilly Radio in 1983 when Buzz Hawkins wrote a poem about a family’s day trip to Blackpool. It has since gone onto be a cult favourite across the airwaves for years, with Hawkins continuing to promote cassettes and later CDs of the material. Some episodes were also made into a television series by Granada TV. Hawkins’ incredible gift for voices and comedy will be used to help accompany the illuminations tour this year. An audio CD featuring a guide to the illuminations will be available for families to listen to in the car as they drive through the lights.
To arrange an interview with Buzz, drop him an email at [email protected]
Blackpool “Will never forget” – Designed by Laurence Llewelyn Bowen, this tasteful and beautiful tribute to the heroes of World War I is particularly poignant in a year which marks 100 years since the start of the conflict. Including a video tribute, it will be based at the Cliffs.
Raspberry Pi – Back in June this year, the Illuminations team judged a competition to use a Raspberry Pi as programming tool. “Hackpool” organised by Mereside Primary School saw children design and code fantastic programmes on strings of LEDS from scratch in just hours. The winning programme will feature in the 2014 display in a special way we will announced and the Raspberry Pi will be making an appearance of its own in the 2015 show. Today at press day we will be showing you some of its characteristics.
For details visit: www.raspberrypi.org
Logo Lights – Businesses are being invited to see their name up in lights during this year’s Illuminations display. “Logo-lights” are a new addition for the 2014 display giving businesses a chance to have their logo displayed in the Illuminations. 150 slots are available which will be displayed alongside the popular “Headlights” feature, on the famous Cliffs section opposite the Miner’s home building, North Shore.For just £150 (plus vat) businesses can have a starring role in this year’s Illuminations as well supporting the future of the lights. The deadline for applications is August 15 2014. Please call 01253-476406/7 for details
Head Lights – A personalised version of logo-lights, the “Headlights” feature is the interactive part of Blackpool Illuminations, allowing you, your dad or even your dog, to be up in lights. For 73 nights, the face/s you submit will keep the resort aglow from Friday 29 August to Sunday 9 November 2014. Blackpool Illuminations have a limited number of spaces available, for just £49.99, so book now to avoid disappointment. Call 01253 476406/7 to book .
We’ll also have our regular, “thank you” tableau on proud display to show our appreciation to the residents and businesses that back the display.
The Blackpool Illuminations app – The Blackpool Illuminations app is back and is even better than last year. Scan the QR codes on the route for fun-filled guides to the display featuring an exciting display of interactive characters. Search “The Blackpool Experience” at your app store now.
Better Start illumination- Designed by our Creative curator LLB this colourful tableau signifies and displays the uplifting message of a genuine “Better start” for children in Blackpool featuring bright colours and smiling faces and will be seen on the cliffs in the 2014 show.
And many more…we thank and salute all our sponsors !!!
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