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Interesting Facts about the Illuminations

Brief History of the Illuminations

Blackpool was already a well-established seaside resort long before the Illuminations came about. Prior to 1879 the streets were lit by gas light but in that year the Council devoted the sum of £5000 to experiment with the concept of electric street lighting.

Holidaymakers first tripped the Lights fantastic in Blackpool in 1879 when just eight arc lamps bathed the Promenade in what was described as artificial sunshine... The basic idea is still much the same 129 years later.

It quickly became appreciated that Blackpool Illuminations were a worthwhile tourist attraction and they became staged annually for many years.

The scale, density and content of the Lights have improved year by year and the development of new ideas and new themes is continuous. In particular the use of electronic controllers, fibre optics, lasers and video projection, has added a new dimension to the fabulous autumn crowd puller.

'Illuminating Facts'

• 100,000 people came to see this first great light show
• The dazzling display stretches almost six miles from Starr Gate to Bispham
• Historically only one designer has been used in coming up with ideas, until more recently seeing the likes of Laurence Llewelyn-Bowen
• There are 10 electricians at the Illuminations Division
• When Princess Diana died the Illuminations were switched off as a mark of respect for one night.
• The main depot at Rigby Road covers an area of 117,000 sq ft
• Every UK Prime Minister since the Second World War has visited Blackpool Illuminations
• It takes 22 weeks to erect the Illuminations
• It takes 9 weeks to dismantle them
• Altogether 65,000 staff hours are used on maintenance, preparation, erection, operation and - finally - dismantling the features, fixtures and fittings