Take a Sneak Peek at Blackpool Illuminations and Ride The Lights!
20 August 2013
by Visit Blackpool
Thousands of people are expected to descend on Blackpool next week for the annual sneak peak of the Illuminations with Ride the lights.
Millions of people view the world famous Blackpool Illuminations every year by car, coach, tram or even on foot.
But on Tuesday 27 August the six miles of Promenade adorned with the festooned displays will be closed to traffic to allow families and friends to cycle through the 2013 Illuminations spectacle and take part in Ride the Lights.
This special sneak preview of the Lights offers everyone the opportunity to view them from the saddle of their own bike, BEFORE they are officially switched on by TV chatshow host Jonathan Ross on Friday August 30.
From 7pm until 10pm participants are invited to hop on their bikes. The roads will be blocked off so cyclists can join the fun anywhere between Starr Gate and Bispham.
The minimum requirement is that cyclists have a light front and back – but as Blackpool Illuminations represent glitz and glamour everyone is encouraged to dress up themselves and their bikes with as much bling and extra lighting as possible.
Natalie Wyatt, Managing Director of Marketing Blackpool, added: “Ride the Lights is a spectacular event ahead of our exciting Switch-On Weekend.
“This marks the start of the Illuminations season so it is always a delight to see many thousands of people enjoying the Lights in such an active and healthy way.
“More than three million people visit Blackpool for the Lights each year so to kick that off with Ride the Lights and the official Switch-On with Jonathan Ross and a full concert with The Script is a great start to the season.”
The Ride the Lights cycling extravaganza is a free event, and continues to grow in popularity each year since its launch in 2006 with more than 12,000 cyclists participating in 2012. Charities are invited to use the event as a fundraiser by encouraging their supporters to participate and get sponsored.
The British Heart Foundation is sponsoring this year’s Ride the Lights ahead of its Manchester to Blackpool Night Ride on Saturday September 28.
A spokesperson for the British Heart Foundation said: “The British Heart Foundation is delighted to be sponsoring Ride the Lights 2013. Our Manchester to Blackpool Night Ride on 28 September also takes in the wonder of the Blackpool Illuminations as you finish a starlit ride from the city.”
Please note that some sections of the lights may not be in operation for this special preview. The Promenade will be closed to traffic from 6.00 pm from Starr Gate (near Squires Gate Lane) all the way to Red Bank Road, Bispham in readiness for the traffic-free roads opening at 7.00 pm for the start of the event.