Date: Saturday 1st November 2008 Venue: Bitts Park, Carlisle Times: 7.00 pm – 8.15 pm approx Admission: Free
The Carlisle Fireshow is in the top ten bonfire and firework displays in the country and attracts around 35,000 people. The bonfire is themed and built to a specific construction which has a pyrotechnic and firework display set onto moving parts. The firework display which follows is spectacular and the whole show is set to music. A fairground and catering units are also on site and add to the atmosphere. Admission is free although donations are collected for local charities.
Due to last weekend’s heavy rainfall and conditions under foot, visitors are recommended to wear suitable footwear such as wellingtons and walking boots and to take extreme care when they are walking in and around Bitts Park. They are also recommended to arrive early to ease traffic congestion. More than 35,000 people are expected to attend the City Council organised event.
Parking / Access information & Safety Advice
All City Council car parks are free after 6pm, some other car parks may charge. The following temporary traffic arrangements will apply throughout the day:
No vehicle access to Bitts Park. The Sheepmount will also be closed.
No vehicle access to Dacre Road (adjacent to Carlisle Castle & Bitts Park).
Bitts Park (Dacre Road) Car Park will be closed.
No vehicle access to Bitts Park from Willowholme or The Sheepmount.
Limited disabled parking although some spaces will be reserved in Devonshire Walk Car Park on first come, first served basis. A special viewing area for wheelchair users will be set aside on Sheepmount Road.
Access will be maintained via Irish Gate Bridge. However for safety reasons stewards will ensure the bridge deck is not used as a viewing area due to the expected congestion of spectators.
New exit arrangements for spectators will be in place this year when leaving the Devonshire Walk area (next to the fairground). After the event has ended, those wanting to walk to the West of the city will be filtered to the right of Devonshire Walk (towards Caldewgate and the pedestrian crossing opposite The Globe public house) and those wanting to walk into the city centre will be filtered to the left and will then be able access Castle Street across Castle Way (between the barriers opposite the Castle).
Spectators should be aware in light of the flood defence work within Bitts Park, that extra caution should be taken, as building work is still ongoing within this area. Those who access the event from West Tower Street and Dacre Road should also be aware of the improved modifications to the layout of the car park and footpath areas.
Visitors are asked to note that by the very nature of the event, smoke, noise, embers and mud underfoot, are inevitable. All are requested to be mindful of the risks and to come prepared for such eventualities: warm clothing and suitable footwear.
For safety reasons, no fireworks of any kind (including sparklers) are allowed into this event. Pets are also prohibited from the park: they should be kept safely at home to avoid any possible distress. The sale of fluorescent, illuminous items should only be purchased from authorised users inside the park.
Carlisle Fireshow 2008 is sponsored by: NEWS & STAR C F M CUMBRIA FIRE & RESCUE SERVICE STORY CONSTRUCTION
and supported by: BROWNS HAULAGE, BSW SAWMILLS, CARLISLE SCAFFOLDING, CROWN BEVCAN, STOBARTS, EDMUNDSON ELECTRICALS, BRAMPTON PALETTES, WALLACE OILS, COLOPHON
For further information on the above event, please contact 01228 817359 or Email Comsup@carlisle.gov.uk
Read interesting facts about the Fireshow and its history by clicking here
The arrival of autumn weather and the nights drawing in means that the fireworks season is on its way.
The Blue Cross, Britain's pet charity is offering advice and support to pet owners whose animals are terrified by the bangs and flashes caused by fireworks
The Blue Cross offers advice to help these owners through a leaflet, available as a pdf document and free download from their website: www.bluecross.org.uk/fireworks
