Blackpool Plans To Mark The Platinum Jubilee In Style

Blackpool has unveiled a spectacular programme of entertainment to mark the start of the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee celebrations.

It includes a grand parade of heritage trams along the seafront, a giant outdoor picnic and free entertainment on the Comedy Carpet, a light and laser show, and a burst of fireworks at the top of The Blackpool Tower.

The event will take place on Thursday 2 June, the first of two bank holidays at the start of the four-day holiday weekend.

Staged in association with Blackpool Transport and the Tourism Business Improvement District (TBID), the parade will see around a dozen trams from the heritage fleet travel in convoy from the Pleasure Beach to Little Bispham, creating one of the largest tram parades the resort has seen.

The convoy, which sets off at 2.30pm, will pause at the Tower Festival Headland for a unique photo opportunity.

Between 3pm and 7pm, people will be able to relax at The Big Comedy Picnic, an al fresco eating out area opposite The Blackpool Tower, with free live entertainment.

Then, between 9pm and 9.45pm, there will be further entertainment before the resort joins the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee Beacons, followed by a light show and a burst of fireworks on The Blackpool Tower.

Although the historic trams were officially “retired” when new European-style trams were brought into service on the seafront route in 2012, a number of them were retained and thanks to an army of volunteers have been brought back into regular use. They now form one of the finest heritage fleets in the world.

Blackpool is one of thousands of locations and landmarks across the UK where beacons will be lit. In true Blackpool style, it will be adding its own unique twist to the ceremony.

Beacon lighting has long been associated with celebrating major milestones, including Royal Jubilees, weddings and coronations. Dating all the way back to 1897, beacons were lit to celebrate Queen Victoria’s Diamond Jubilee. Most recently, beacons have been used to mark the 75^th anniversary of VE Day and Her Majesty’s 90^th birthday in 2016.

A VisitBlackpool spokesperson said: “We are thrilled that Blackpool Transport and the Tourism Business Improvement District are partnering with us to create a unique celebration of this very special royal milestone.

“A parade of heritage trams on this scale is something that has not been seen for many years and it promises to be a spectacular sight. The addition of a burst of fireworks at the top of The Blackpool Tower will create a magnificent finale at the end of the first day of the holiday.”

The parade and beacon lighting ceremony form part of a brilliant programme of events across the resort to celebrate the special royal milestone.

These include:

• The lighting of The Blackpool Tower in red, white and blue throughout the four days.

• Jubilee-themed events and live entertainment at Blackpool Pleasure Beach throughout the four-day holiday weekend including late night riding, fireworks and a Jubilee Concert on Saturday 4 June.
   
• A chance to take afternoon tea in one of Blackpool’s magnificent heritage venues including the magnificent Blackpool Tower Ballroom, the Imperial Hotel, the magnificent Mazzei Café in the Winter Gardens, and the Art Deco Café overlooking the Italian Gardens in the award-winning Stanley Park.

Check out the visitblackpool.com/jubilee website for further updates on the resort’s Jubilee celebrations.