DETAILS have been released of the best places in Liverpool and Wirral to view this year’s November 5 fireworks display on the River Mersey.
The build-up to the River of Light will start from 4:00pm with street entertainment from drummers and fire performers ‘Bring the Fire’ – a collective of fire dancers, circus skills teachers and flow arts promoters – at four locations:
- Hamilton Square/Woodside Ferry Terminal, Wirral
- Albert Dock Salthouse Quay, Liverpool
- Mann Island, Liverpool
- Princes Parade, Liverpool
From 5:30pm, world-renowned drummers Les Commandos Percu and Deabru Beltzak will set off from outside Liverpool Town Hall along a city centre route filled with music, lights and fireworks, ending at the city’s waterfront.
On the Liverpool side, people will have a great view from the waterfront running from Alexandra Tower on Princes Parade right the way along past the Arena and Convention Centre.
In Wirral, people can view the show along the promenade right the way from New Brighton through to Seacombe and on to Woodside.
The fireworks display itself, which is taking place from three barges placed in the middle of the River Mersey, is scheduled to start at 6:30pm and will last for around 20 minutes.
This year’s event is a collaboration between Liverpool City Council and Wirral Council and aims to be one of the most ambitious fireworks events in the country, with funding from partners helping make it a spectacular event.
Assistant Mayor and cabinet member for culture, tourism and events, Councillor Wendy Simon, said: “This year we are trying something very different, uniting both sides of the River Mersey with an event that we believe will be hugely popular.
“We’re encouraging the whole family to come along beforehand, spend some time enjoying the top-quality street entertainment, watch the amazing fireworks display and then spend time perhaps having a meal afterwards.
“It’s great that we’ve managed to secure sponsorship funding from a number of partners which is helping us deliver a fantastic event and a real economic boost for Liverpool and Wirral.”
Wirral Council leader, Cllr Phil Davies, said: “We’re delighted to be involved in this amazing event and are keen to make sure as many people as possible head down to the Wirral waterfront to enjoy it.
“Wirral’s Mersey shoreline will offer some of the best viewing points and attractions for families of all ages and we look forward to welcoming the thousands of spectators from across the region for what will be one of the most spectacular bonfire night events anywhere in the country.”
River of Light is being supported by Albert Dock Liverpool, Liverpool BID Company, Liverpool ONE, Radio City, Hotel Indigo, Merseyrail, Birkenhead First (a Wirral Chamber of Commerce initiative), Its Liverpool and DONG Energy.
Paula Basnett, CEO for Wirral Chamber of Commerce said: “Birkenhead First is delighted to support River of Light, which will provide an amazing evening of free family entertainment for visitors to Liverpool and Wirral.
“Our programme of street theatre activity at Woodside and Hamilton Square means visitors to Birkenhead can enjoy an evening of jaw-dropping entertainment with the added advantage of having Liverpool’s world heritage waterfront as the perfect backdrop to a spectacular firework show.”
Clare Rawlinson, marketing manager at Albert Dock Liverpool, said: “It’s so good to see the Bonfire Night fireworks celebration return to Liverpool’s stunning waterfront this year, and here at Albert Dock, we will be at the heart of all the action!
“Liverpool City Council have put together a great programme of music, animation and fireworks for River of Light, and as a partner we will work closely with them to ensure visitors have a fifth of November to remember!”
There will be no official fireworks displays taking place in Sefton Park or Newsham Park.
Merseyrail is the easiest way to get to the event on both sides of the Mersey, with stations at New Brighton and Hamilton Square for the Wirral waterfront and Liverpool Central or James Street for the Liverpool waterfront. Trains run frequently across Merseyside and tickets start from just £1.80. Plan your journey at www.merseyrail.org
To whet your appetite about what to expect on the evening, check out the video section of www.commandospercu.com
For the latest information about the event visit www.riveroflightfireworks.co.uk
