Carlisle Fireshow: A scorching success!
Last updated 11:47, Monday, 03 November 2008
Flaming wheels, a 40 foot tall bonfire and a dazzling array of fireworks made 2008’s Carlisle Fireshow one to remember.
- Slideshow: Carlisle Fireshow 2008
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- Video: Carlisle Fireshow 2008
About 35,000 people from across Cumbria and further afield made their way to Bitts Park on Saturday expecting to see one of the best free displays in the north.
And they weren’t disappointed.
The Black Powder Monkeys once again created explosive entertainment for their audience.
This year the theme was Wheels of Fire, to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the motor vehicle.
At 7pm all eyes were on the stage as the shell of an old- fashioned car was silhouetted on screen.
The shadows of two men who slowly built the car up followed.
Then came the flames and the stage was ablaze as catherine wheels whirred and the 40-ft bonfire began to burst through its covering.
After 20 minutes a roaring fire was all that was left and the sounds of Vivaldi launched the start of a half- hour display, which must have been seen all over the city.
The final explosions were accompanied by Orpheus in the Underworld – otherwise known as the Can Can.
As the bonfire began to die down the crowd broke up and people squelched their way through the mud and out of the park.
The pavements around Carlisle Castle were as grid-locked as the roads as everyone headed for home.
Some had further to travel than others.
Melinda Petty and husband Martin brought their daughters Brooke, two, and Jayden, three, over from Workington.
Melinda said the show was well worth travelling to. “It’s brilliant, we come every year,” she said.
For the first time this year, the fireshow was part sponsored by Cumbria Fire and Rescue service.
Admission was free but a collection was made for the Mayor’s Charity Fund and the Rotary Club Carlisle (South). The bonfire was sponsored by Cumbria Fire & Rescue Service; CFM Radio, the News & Star and Story Construction.
Brampton Pallets, Browns Haulage, BSW Timber, Carlisle Scaffolding, Colophon, Crown Bevcan, Edmundsons Electricals and Wallace Oils are also supporting the show.
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- Tell us what you think of the fireshow . . .
I think the display was pretty good, just the same as most years, my gripe however was the lack of toilet facilities on site. With 35,000 people there, you would think the council could spend some of our hard earned council tax payers money on suitable facilities. I wonder if the number of people arrested for urinating in public increased this night?
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I've travelled up from Manchester every year for 10 years to see this event. I thought it was shorter and less polished but still good. I thought the poor weather prior to the event impaired the preparations.
Posted by richard marsden on 12 November 2008 kl. 15:13