Skies set to sparkle for this year’s Fireworks Championships

The skies above Plymouth Hoe will be set ablaze with colour on Tuesday 11 and Wednesday 12 August as the British Fireworks Championships return for their 13th year.

Thousands of spectators will head to the Hoe and waterfront to see spectacular pyrotechnic displays by some of the best fireworks companies in the UK as they battle it out for the coveted title of British Champion.

The two-day internationally renowned event, jointly organised by Plymouth City Council and The Event Services Association (TESA), is now an integral part of the city’s annual events calendar and the Plymouth Summer Festival. The Hoe provides a magnificent venue for the competition, offering a superb vantage point and spectacular backdrop for the displays.

On Tuesday night Dragon Dynasty from Bedfordshire, Phoenix Fireworks from Kent and Skyburst the Firework Company from Bristol will be showcasing their displays and on Wednesday it will be the turn of Vulcan from Surrey, Celebration Fireworks from Kent and Highlight Pyrotechnics from Cheshire.

Entertainment will be starting at 6.30pm courtesy of Heart, Plymouth’s local radio station. Local band ‘Outside Groove' will be appearing live on stage on both nights and there will be solo vocalists, dance groups and competitions as well as fairground rides and refreshment stalls. The firework displays will start at around 9.30pm each evening as dusk arrives.

Councillor Glenn Jordan, Cabinet Member for Leisure, Culture and Sport said: "The British Fireworks Championships offer two nights of fantastic, free entertainment for the whole family and get better every year. The Hoe provides the perfect location for the event, which is one of the main highlights of the Plymouth Summer Festival and attracts thousands of visitors from across the region. Spectators should prepare to be amazed, dazzled and thoroughly entertained over the two evenings.”

If you fancy something a bit different you can watch the aerial displays from Tinside Lido where you can enjoy an evening swim until 10.30pm. Normal entry fees apply – for more information call 01752 261915.

Special park and ride services are being provided especially for the event by First, who will be running regular buses from The George, Milehouse and Coypool on both nights.

Timetables for both the PR1 service from the George Junction via Milehouse, and the PR2 service from Coypool are available on the park and ride page.

Buses will run into the city centre every 15 minutes, with the last inbound services leaving Coypool at 8.45pm and The George at 8.30pm (picking up at Milehouse). After the fireworks there will be frequent buses leaving Royal Parade from 10.15pm onwards (stop A11 for Coypool and stop A12 for Milehouse and The George).

Adults and children will pay £2.50 each from the George Junction and £2 from Milehouse and £1.50 from Coypool. Concessionary travel pass holders will be able to use these special services free of charge. For more information visit the First website or call First on 0845 600 1420 or Travelline on 0871 200 2233.

The Council is advising that spectators use public transport or park and ride wherever possible but if you do take the car the multi-storey car park behind the National Marine Aquarium and the nearby Barbican lock gate will be open until midnight. Most city centre car parks will also be open until midnight, including the one in Drake Circus, where you will be able to park half price after 5pm and shop until 8pm.

An extended parking area will be available on the Hoe promenade for blue badge holders, but spaces will be taken on a first come, first served basis. Access will be via Elliott Street entrance to the Hoe promenade from 5.30pm.

The toilets on the Hoe and the Barbican will be open on both evenings, as will those in West Hoe, Mount Batten and Jennycliff. There will also be extra toilets on the Hoe.

Madeira Road and Hoe Road will be closed on both days between 11am and 11pm and Jennycliff Lane will be closed on both days from 6pm to 11pm. Mount Batten Pier will be closed from 7am on 11 August until 2pm on 13 August.

27 July 2009