August 31, 2012

Blackpool Illuminations celebrates its centenary

Blackpool is celebrating 100 years in lights, with thousands of people expected to attend the annual switch on tonight

Blackpool illuminations: 1935: Workers fix lamps on Blackpool Tower — Blackpool's first display of just eight arc lights was called 'artificial sunshine' in 1879 and predated the arrival of the commercial light bulb. However, it wasn't until 1912 that the Blackpool decided to stage the first 'illuminations'. Here, workers fix lamps on Blackpool Tower ready for the 1935 display Photograph: Corbis

Blackpool illuminations: 1936: A workman fitting light bulbs onto an elaborate model — 1936: A workman fitting light bulbs on to one of the display models. Last year more than 3.5 million visitors came to see the event, that included over a million lamps
Photograph: Getty Images Photograph: Nick Yapp/Getty Images

Blackpool illuminations: 1936: Two holidaymakers by a large illuminated policeman at Blackpool — 1936: Two holidaymakers by a large illuminated policeman on the front at Blackpool. Over the years the display has pioneered the latest in lighting technology, from rope lights to outdoor LEDs and low-voltage 'greener' bulbs – in recent years the amount of electricity used has almost halved
Photograph: Getty Images Photograph: Nick Yapp/Getty Images

Blackpool illuminations: 1936: Illuminations at Blackpool Promenade — The 1936 illuminations snake along the promenade. In 1939 the lights were set up but never switched on because of the outbreak of war Photograph: AP

Blackpool illuminations: 1954: Welcome Arch on Blackpool promenade, — The lights were halted during both world wars. This welcome arch on Blackpool promenade featured in 1954 Photograph: Fox Photos/Getty Images

Blackpool illuminations: 1955: Illuminated rides at The Pleasure Beach — Illuminated rides at The Pleasure Beach in 1955 Photograph: Fred Morley/Getty Images

Blackpool illuminations: 1958: Blackpool Illuminations — The Central Promenade is strung with lights in 1958. The display now stretches for six miles along the seafront Photograph: Press Association

Blackpool illuminations: 1966: Blackpool Illuminations in the Lancashire seaside resort — The popular rocket tram shown here in 1966 has been restored and will sit at Gynn Square, hung with 3,500 lamps and with a huge figure of an astronaut from the 1970s floating above it Photograph: Alamy

Blackpool illuminations: 1993: Blackpool's Golden Mile at night — 1993: Blackpool's Golden Mile at night. The 2012 display features around 100 miles of party lights, 200 miles of wiring, 5,000 floodlights and more than one million lamps Photograph: Richard Baker/Corbis

Blackpool illuminations: 1998: Blackpool Illuminations depicting Coronation Street — The 1998 illuminations depicting stars of Coronation Street. Other TV characters to feature have included Doctor Who and this year Nickelodeon figures such as SpongeBob SquarePants and Dora the Explorer. You can even get your own face put in lights for £100! Photograph: Somerset Photo/Rex Features

Blackpool illuminations: 2005: The Mirror Ball bathed in a projected lightshow — In 2005 the world's largest mirror ball, entitled 'They Shoot Horses Don't They?' was one of 10 artworks unveiled Photograph: Christopher Thomond

Blackpool Illuminations: Blackpool Tower and illuminations at night — Sponsors feature heavily in this section of the 2007 display. The current illuminations cost £2.2m to stage Photograph: John Lawrence/Getty Images

Blackpool Illuminations: Big One rollercoaster at Blackpool Pleasure Beach — Holidaymakers enjoying the illuminated Big One rollercoaster ride on the final weekend of the school holidays in 2007 Photograph: Christopher Thomond

Blackpool illuminations: 2007: Cyclists who took to the streets of Blackpool for the Ride the Lights — 2007: Some of the thousands of cyclists who took to the streets of Blackpool for the Ride the Lights event Photograph: Christopher Thomond

Blackpool illuminations: 2011: Pleasure beach bus, — 2011: The pleasure beach bus is a quicker way take in the display, although walking is the best way to soak up the atmosphere Photograph: Ashley Cooper/Corbis

Blackpool Illuminations: A restored astronaut for the Blackpool Illuminations 2012 — Putting the finishing touches to the 70s large-scale astronaut to be installed above the rocket tram in the centenary display. The lights will run from 31 August-4 November 2012, visitblackpool.com/illuminations Photograph: Dan Kitwood/Getty Images

Leave a Comment Cancel comment