Blackpool gets set to celebrate VE Day this bank holiday Friday

Blackpool is preparing to go red, white and blue to honour the sacrifice and service of our Second World War heroes on the 75th anniversary of VE Day.
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The Government moved the traditional early May holiday to May 8 to mark the special anniversary of the Victory in Europe over the fascist Axis forces, but the coronavirus lockdown put paid to any big organised events.

Blackpool and the Fylde coast played a huge role in the wartime effort, with thousands of servicemen and women being stationed in the resort, the airport being part of the air defence network and nearby Warton the largest air base in Europe.

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So despite Blackpool being closed to visitors because of the pandemic, the resort is determined to add some sparkle to the celebrations on Friday with a mixture of tributes and virtual activities.

The Winter Gardens along with other Blackpool landmarks will be lit up red, white and blue to mark the 75th anniversary of VE Day on Friday May 8 2020The Winter Gardens along with other Blackpool landmarks will be lit up red, white and blue to mark the 75th anniversary of VE Day on Friday May 8 2020
The Winter Gardens along with other Blackpool landmarks will be lit up red, white and blue to mark the 75th anniversary of VE Day on Friday May 8 2020

Some of the key venues and attractions will be illuminated in red, white and blue over the Bank Holiday weekend including the Big Wheel on Central Pier, the dome of the Winter Gardens, the promenade-fronted Hampton by Hilton hotel, the seafront Cenotaph and the Lightworks Illuminations depot.

In addition, the heart on The Blackpool Tower will be transformed into a Union Flag and the Blackpool Town Hall bell will ring out for five minutes at 3pm on the day, with both venues also flying the Union Flag.

Although the resort is out of bounds to visitors because of the lockdown, there are plenty of ways to thank our nation’s heroes from the comfort of home.

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VisitBlackpool has commissioned two special recordings of the poem, Tribute To The Millions.

The Winter Gardens along with other Blackpool landmarks will be lit up red, white and blue to mark the 75th anniversary of VE Day on Friday May 8 2020The Winter Gardens along with other Blackpool landmarks will be lit up red, white and blue to mark the 75th anniversary of VE Day on Friday May 8 2020
The Winter Gardens along with other Blackpool landmarks will be lit up red, white and blue to mark the 75th anniversary of VE Day on Friday May 8 2020

Blackpool’s own award-winning actress, Lucy Fallon, who starred in Coronation Street for five years, and TV star Laurence Llewellyn-Bowen, who is the creative curator for the world-famous Blackpool Illuminations, have both recorded readings of the commemorative poem from their homes.

These can be viewed as part of a virtual guide on how families can enjoy the VE Day celebrations at www.visitblackpool.com. It also includes:

A gallery of over 120 digitised photographs produced in association with Heritage Blackpool and The Blackpool Gazette newspaper giving a fascinating insight into the crucial role that the resort played during the war.

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How to raise a toast to our heroes and join the national “We’ll Meet Again” singalong,

Blackpool's Cenotaph will be illuminated to mark VE Day 75Blackpool's Cenotaph will be illuminated to mark VE Day 75
Blackpool's Cenotaph will be illuminated to mark VE Day 75

Tips on how to arrange your own garden party and make your own bunting,

Special educational activities for children.

And if you are missing all the fun and entertainment that Blackpool has to offer, there is also a Virtual Holiday package on the visitblackpool.com website featuring a brilliant online collection of rollercoaster rides, water slides, tours of venues and attractions, educational videos, and plenty of fun and games for the family to enjoy.

Coun Gillian Campbell, Deputy Leader of Blackpool Council, said: “Blackpool is a place that evokes so many happy memories for a generation of people who came here during the wartime years.

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“Over the years, our relationship with the armed forces community has been an enduring one and, in normal circumstances, we would have loved to have hosted a fitting celebration to mark such a special event in the nation’s calendar.

“But we will make sure that Blackpool marks the occasion and we hope that our visitors will enjoy what we are doing from the comfort of their homes. We look forward to meeting them again when it’s safe to come back.”