Preparations are underway for this year’s Carlisle Fireshow at the weekend.
Set to take place in Bitts Park, on Saturday November 1, the event has been organised by Cumberland Council.
The centrepiece bonfire is now under construction and more than 2,000 fireworks, set to music, will also light up the sky.
This year’s Carlisle Fireshow will celebrate Cumberland’s maritime history and heritage.
The event starts at 6.30pm and will be the 36th fireshow to be held in the city.
It is the biggest event in the region expected to attract more than 35,000 spectators.
This year’s event is organised with Merlin Fireworks Ltd.
Taste Cumbria will be bringing its food and drink festival to the cathedral grounds, on Saturday and Sunday, plus live music will be performed in the recently revamped Greenmarket.
There will also be food and family entertainment for those attending the fireshow in Castle Car Park between 5pm and 8.30pm on the night of the event.
Visitors to this year’s Carlisle Fireshow are being asked to dig into the bottom of their pockets and support local charities.
Although the event is free to attend, a charity collection is held each year.
All donations go towards the Rotary in Carlisle (which donates most of its fundraising efforts to local good causes), and Alzheimer’s Society, the charity supported by the chair of Cumberland Council, Andy Semple and the mayor of Carlisle Jeanette Whalen’s chosen charities – Carlisle Foodbank and Safety Net.
It is a family event, and no alcohol will be permitted on site or within the Fireshow Village in Castle car park (formerly known as Devonshire Walk car park).
The overall events programme has been supported by the Government via the UK Shared Prosperity Fund.
Carlisle Fireshow essential information
Parking
Cumberland Council car parks are available for use throughout the day.
People are reminded to read the car park information boards or visit www.cumberland.gov.uk/parking for further information.
Barrier controlled car parks (West Walls and Caldew Riverside) – Car park closures will be suspended on the evening of Saturday November 1; all car parks will remain open for the Fireshow.
Traffic arrangements
The following temporary traffic arrangements will apply throughout Saturday November 1:
- No vehicle access to Bitts Park.
- No vehicle access to Dacre Road (next to Carlisle Castle and Bitts Park).
- Parking for Blue Badge holders will be available at Castle car park (formerly known as Devonshire Walk car park). This will be available on a first come, first served basis with the last entry at 5.45pm. Vehicles parked within this car park will not be able to leave until 8.30pm.
- No parking in Bitts Park car park.
- No vehicle access to Bitts Park from Willowholme or The Sheepmount.
- The skate park will be closed from 4.30pm on the day of the event.
- Following the event, there will be a temporary road closure and diversion in place to allow visitors of the event to safely leave Bitts Park. This will be from around 7.30pm to 8.30pm and will include Castle Way from its junction with Caldewgate to its junction with Hardwicke Circus roundabout, plus West Tower Street from the junction of Market Street to the junction and slip road of Castle Way both west bound and east bound.
Carlisle Fireshow access
A special viewing area for people with disabilities including wheelchair users will be set aside on the Sheepmount Road.
Up to two carers allowed on the viewing area per individual.
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 former 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).
Safety
Visitors are asked to note that by the very nature of the event, smoke, noise, embers and mud underfoot, are inevitable.
Everyone is asked 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 banned from the park: they should be kept safely at home to avoid any possible distress.
Glow sticks and other fluorescent items should only be purchased from official sales staff.
