BLACKPOOL FIREWORKS

Blackpool Fireworks have become an important component of the illuminations season. The world fireworks championships are held in the resort during the early weeks of the illuminations, with the first display taking place as part of the festivities celebrating the switch on weekend. The championships involve major international fireworks companies staging displays on successive weekends, with an additional performance celebrating the announcement of the winner. In 2007 the participating countries were: Portugal, Canada, Britain and Austria and each entrant is judged on its ability to demonstrate state of the art firework designs containing characteristics distinctive of their particular country. The experts will be expected to use fireworks unique to their countries, giving an international feeling to the contest, and the public able to text vote for their favourites. The firework displays are launched at about 8.30 p.m. with the build up starting at approximately 7.30 p.m. All fireworks shows are subject to acceptable weather conditions. Over 250,00 people watched the fireworks nights and the UK was announced as the winner.