‘Love Carlisle’ theme for city event

(Date of issue: Monday, 12 October 2009)

Visitors to this year’s Fireshow will be treated to a 12-hour feast of entertainment.

A ‘Love Carlisle Day’, to celebrate the launch of Carlisle Tourism Partnership, will be held as part of the build up to this year’s Fireshow, (Saturday, 7 November) and will include city centre activities between 10am and 5pm.

A cookery theatre and marquee will be the spectacular centre piece and will open between 10am and 4.30pm, children’s activities, events and competitions from 12noon, and amazing street theatre has been organised from 2.30pm. A spectacular finale is planned at 5pm.

The event will provide yet another reason to visit the Carlisle’s city centre and stick around for an explosive Fireshow event in Bitts Park. The annual Fireshow event attracts thousands of spectators each year and has been an established event for more than 20 years.

The ‘Love Carlisle’ theme will continue as part of the Fireshow and a 40-foot flaming heart will be the centre piece of the bonfire. The theme has been chosen as part of Carlisle's bid to become UK City of Culture, which is being coordinated by Carlisle Renaissance, showcasing what we have to offer and the sorts of activities that could form part of a year-long programme of events in 2013. Local people are at the heart of the City of Culture bid and the ‘Love Carlisle’ theme and high quality event gives local people another chance to show off how much they love their city, and demonstrate that Carlisle packs a cultural punch.

The sparkling spectacular will take place on Saturday, 7 November and will be the 23rd Fireshow event staged by Carlisle City Council. More than 2,000 spectacular fireworks will ensure that the event goes with a ‘bang’.

Pre-entertainment, provided by Carlisle Leisure Limited, will start at 6.30pm and the bonfire lit at 7pm. The whole event is likely to last more than one hour. Admission is free, although collections will be made for the Mayor’s Charity Fund and Rotary Club Carlisle (South).

More than 35,000 people are expected to attend the City Council event, organised in conjunction with the Black Powder Monkeys. Carlisle Leisure Limited, Carlisle Renaissance and Cumbria Fire & Rescue Service are sponsoring the Fireshow event. Support is also received from Alexander Sawmills, Brampton Pallets, Brown’s Haulage, BSW Timber, Carlisle Scaffolding, Cumbria Waste Pallets, Crown Bevcan, Edmundson’s Electricals, G J Campbell, Premier Papers, Stobart’s, Story Construction and Wallace Oils.