British Firework Championships return
The world famous British Firework Championships is set to return to Plymouth for its 20th showdown this month!
The successful companies competing this year are:
Aurora Fireworks
F1 Pyrotechnics
Phoenix Fireworks
Gala Fireworks
Distant Thunder Fireworks
Smart Pyrotechnics
A fantastic free Waterfront event, with judging from an expert panel, fairground rides, entertainment from Heart Radio and bands, The Poet Junkies and Ten Zero One taking place on Tuesday and Wednesday, August 16 and 17 on Plymouth Hoe.
Firework Competition Firing Order, starting from 9.30pm:
Tuesday 16 August
1. Smart Pyrotechnics 2. Phoenix Fireworks 3. F1 Pyrotechnics
Wednesday 17 August
1. Aurora Fireworks 2. Distant Thunder Fireworks 3. Gala Fireworks
Judging
There will be 2 separate judging panels comprising of 3 people in each panel:
1. Professional judging panel – industry experts
2. Formal judging panel – Plymouth City nominated representatives
Entertainment from 6.30pm
Heart Radio will be in action on the main stage, 6:30 - 8:30pm over both nights with entertainment, competitions and music from Matt & Caroline from the Heart Breakfast show.
Live bands will follow from 8:30 - 9:30pm, with Tuesday seeing The Poet Junkies and Wednesday seeing Ten Zero One.
There will also be fairground rides and refreshment stalls.
Park and Ride, Parking and Disabled Parking on the Hoe
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 (Madeira Road and Hoe Road will be closed on both days between 1pm and 11pm with some No Parking restrictions from 8am Citadel Road).
The toilets on the Hoe and the Barbican will be open on both evenings, as will those at Jennycliff and Mount Batten. There will also be extra toilets on the Hoe.
The multi-storey car park behind the National Marine Aquarium and the nearby Barbican lock gate will be open until 11pm. Most city centre car parks will be open until midnight, but with tens of thousands of people expected to attend the event, they are likely to be very busy and the Council is advising the public to use public transport and park and ride wherever possible.
Park and Ride – operated by Stagecoach
All three park and ride locations will operate throughout both evenings. The last buses leaving for the City Centre are:
Coypool at 8.45pm
Milehouse at 8.55pm
Coypool at 8.45pm
There will be a flat fee of £2.50 (adult) after 6pm. No concessions will be accepted after 7pm.
For return journeys from Royal Parade pick up points will be as follows:
PR 100 Milehouse and the George – outside the Theatre Royal
PR 200 Coypool – By Edinburgh Woollen Mill (this is the usual stop)