The sky promises to be the limit when the Morecambe Seaside Festival flies back into the resort this coming weekend.
For the last weekend of the school holidays, expect spectacular aerial stunts from the Red Arrows, magical fireworks, top class music and more as this year’s programme of Morecambe’s Festivals by the Sea comes to a dramatic end.
On Saturday the arena stage will host a showcase of live music throughout the day performed by top local talent. Headlining the Saturday evening is a tribute to one of the country’s biggest stars ‘Adele’. Ami Barrett will take to the stage at 7.00pm to perform her Someone Like Adele show.
Saturday’s programme of entertainment ends with a magnificent firework display at 9.00pm, launched from the Stone Jetty against the stunning backdrop of Morecambe Bay.
And the weekend doesn’t end there.The Red Arrows are booked to perform an aerobatic display at noon on Sunday and a Spitfire, a legendary World War Two aircraft will also be paying a visit to the festival with air displays from 1.15pm.
“Despite the weather, this summer has been one to remember for us all, with the Olympic Torch relay being one of my personal highlights,” says Councillor Ron Sands, Cabinet member for tourism at Lancaster City Council. “The Seaside Festival is the single biggest event of the Festivals by the Sea events programme and I’m looking forward to a weekend that will be fun for all the family.
“It’s important to remember that our festivals are not just about attracting people to Morecambe on the day or weekend of the event itself – we are reaching out to a new generation which will fall in love with Morecambe and come back again and again for the rest of their lives.
“They’re also an opportunity for our communities to come together and take pride in what we have to offer as a district.”
Councillor June Ashworth, chairman of Morecambe Town Council’s Festivals and Events Committee, added: “Morecambe Town Council is pleased to be working in partnership with Lancaster City Council by jointly funding the Seaside Festival again this year.
“The hugely popular Seaside Festival is a fantastic climax to Morecambe’s summer season, and provides a real boost for tourism by attracting thousands of visitors.
“In addition, Morecambe Town Council has also financially supported 26 festivals and events taking place throughout 2012. Morecambe Council feels that this is important in bringing added value to the local economy, and providing summer entertainment for residents and visitors to the resort.”
Over the festival weekend, the Platform will be hosting some special guests. Children will be able to enjoy two amazing shows and get up close with Bjorn the Polar Bear on the Saturday and Tiny the Dinosaur on Sunday.
There’s also more live music on the outdoor stage at the Arena with local soul group Twenty Four Seven, Amy-Jo Clough and the Reggimentals.
On the Sunday, you can also enjoy live entertainment whilst picking up a bargain at Morecambe’s Festival Market and an arts and craft fair at the Winter Gardens.
Traffic and travel
Anyone choosing to attend the event by private car via Morecambe Road should note that due to the large number of people expected to attend the event, traffic congestion is likely with the Shrimp Roundabout expected to be one of the area’s most affected.
Local people are advised to use alternative modes of transport and walk, cycle or use public transport.
On leaving the festival, motorists heading back towards Lancaster should consider using the A6 as an alternative route.
Please note that road closures will be in place on the central Promenade Area from 6pm – 10pm on the Saturday (September 1) and from 10am – 6pm on the Sunday (2nd September).
Alternative routes will be signposted.
Programme of events
Saturday 1 September
Arena – main stage
12.30pm – Pantabulous
1.30pm – Katy Pickles
2.15pm – The Hustle
3pm – Amy-Jo Clough
4.15pm – Reggimentals
6pm – DJ set
7pm – Someone Like Adele
9pm – Firework spectacular
The Platform
1pm, 2.15pm, 3.30pm – Bjorn the Polar Bear show. It is advisable to buy tickets in advance to avoid disappointment.
Sunday 2 September
Air displays
Noon – Red Arrows
1.15pm – Spitfire
Arena – main stage
12.30pm – Remix Pop Choir
1.15pm – Dalton
2.15pm – Lilygreen and McGuire
3.15pm – DHFive Band
4.30pm – Twenty Four Seven
The Platform
1pm, 2.15pm, 3.30pm – Tiny the friendly Dinosaur. It is advisable to buy tickets in advance to avoid disappointment.
• Tickets for these shows cost £3 or £10 for a family of four and can be bought in advance at www.lancaster.gov.uk/platform-tickets or in person at Morecambe Visitor Information Centre at the Platform building.
• For a full programme of events, visit www.lancaster.gov.uk/seaside or contact Morecambe and Lancaster Visitor Information Centres (tel. 01524 582808).
• For safety reasons, fireworks, sparklers or alcohol must not be brought to the festival. Refreshments will be available from a licensed bar area on-site on both days.