The Lights!

A wonderful afternoon and evening at Blackpool Illuminations with family and grandchildren. Brought back memories of when we took our own children(a long time ago), and when I went with my grandparents (a very long time ago).

A walk along the Golden Mile amongst the crowds, a ride on a tram, fish and chip supper, a slow drive past the lights and children asleep on the way home.

Not a lot changes with traditions like this!

Blackpool Illuminations
(Just a little background information for those who are interested)

Blackpool is a traditional seaside town providing all the joys of a seaside holiday and all the tackiness that comes with having a Pleasure Beach and a front full of hamburger stands, candy floss and amusement arcades. It also has a famous Tower, inspired by the Eiffel Tower.

The Illuminations are a long-standing tradition, especially amongst Yorkshire and Lancashire people. We, along with most families I knew, made the trip every year. I suppose you could say it was part of our family culture. I can still hear my father shouting, when we had left all the lights on in the house - "It's like Blackpool Illuminations in here!"

The Lights were founded in 1879, although the first display similar to the ones today was in 1912. They run from late August to early November. Presumably they were started, and continued, to extend the holiday season for the resort. The display stretches along the front for 6 miles. The lights spread across the road and are of all colours and dimensions. The ones above are pretty, but are not typical. They were just the easiest to photograph, as they were static! Most of the lights flash on and off to create animations of all kinds. At one end there are around 40 large tableaux. There is always a thing made of the 'The Big Switch On' and some celebrity is brought in to do the honours.

A tramway runs almost the full length of the lights and there are some illuminated trams. Most people park at one end and walk for a while until it gets dark, then catch a tram back. Then in the car they join the long and very slow journey through the whole lot.

For those who are very interested is an interesting sequence of pictures marking the centenary of the Lights this year.