75,000 request Switch-On wristbands

Blackpool’s 2014 Switch-On night looks set to be the biggest night of the year with the news that more than 75,000 applications for wristbands have been received.

It means that the free event – which features a star-studded cast including Peter Kay, Little Mix, Texas, Union J, Pixie Lott, Neon Jungle and George Ezra – is almost FOUR times oversubscribed!

Organisers VisitBlackpool has revealed that when the deadline closed on July 23 the final tally of completed registration forms came to 20,813.

Applicants were able to request a maximum of four wristbands per person and the total number of requests amounts to 76,792. A total of 6,000 will be allocated to applicants with an FY postcode.

The Friday night Switch-On, which is being staged in association with Rock FM, marks the start of a three-day festival of entertainment on the Tower Festival Headland.

Saturday night includes a fantastic line-up of West End shows headlined by Thriller Live and featuring Dirty Dancing, Chicago, Priscilla Queen Of The Desert and excerpts from The Jersey Boys.

On the Sunday night, singing star Rebecca Ferguson will top the bill, with performances by Atomic Kitten, Liberty X, 911 and Damage.

Cllr Graham Cain, Cabinet Member for Tourism & Leisure said: “The demand for wristbands to attend the free Friday night switch-on is phenomenal. Only one previous switch on starring Robbie Williams has generated a higher demand.

“The public response to switch on night shows that the decision to take it back to a free event was absolutely the right one.”

Those who applied for wristbands will be notified whether or not they have been successful before the end of July. Although the number of applications for the Friday night far exceeds the 20,000 capacity on the Tower Festival Headland, there is still an opportunity for unsuccessful applicants to secure a coveted wristband for the event.

An early bird offer for the entire festival weekend has been extended to the end of July. That means that the first 5,000 purchasers of £20 weekend passes (£10 for children) will be guaranteed a wristband for the Friday night.

Ticket details for the Switch-On Festival Weekend are as follows:

Early bird offer – up to 31st July 2014

• Adult weekend 2 night tickets (Saturday & Sunday) at £20.00 per person and £10.00 per child (U14)
• Weekend family ticket (Saturday & Sunday) for 2 adults and 2 children (U14) £50.00
• Single nights (Saturday or Sunday only) at £12.50 per person and £7.50 per child (U14)
• Single night (Saturday or Sunday only) family of 2 adults and 2 children (U14) £35.00

1st August Onwards

• Adult weekend 2 night ticket (Saturday & Sunday) £25.00 per adult and £12.50 per child (U14)
• Weekend family ticket (Saturday & Sunday) for 2 adults and 2 children (U14) £65.00
• Single nights (Saturday or Sunday only) £15.00 per adult and £ 10.00 per child (U14)
• Single night (Saturday or Sunday only) family of 2 adults and 2 children (U14) £45.00

Tickets can be purchased from the following places: Ticketmaster Tel: 0844 277 0700 W: www.ticketmaster.co.uk

See Tickets Tel: 0844 871 8819 W: www.seetickets.com

VisitBlackpool Tourist Information Centre, Festival House, Promenade, Blackpool Tel: 01253 478225 or go to www.visitblackpool.com/switchon

VIP Hospitality will also be available for the Switch-On Festival Weekend provided by The Sands located opposite the Switch-On arena.  For further information on packages, telephone 01253 625262 email boxoffice@the-sands.co.uk or go to www.the-sands-blackpool.co.uk