Taking its title from a 1929 Blackpool Illuminations marketing poster, this exhibition brings together a selection of objects, images and posters that celebrate the rich history and enduring appeal of the Blackpool Illuminations.
Dating back to 1879, the Blackpool Illuminations are considered to have their origins in the switching on of eight arc lamps on Blackpool promenade on the 19th September of that year. Emitting the equivalent of 48,000 candles of light, the light generated was called, ‘artificial sunshine’ with the lamps themselves being considered some of the first electric street lights in the world.
Owned by Blackpool Council and managed by Blackpool Council’s Heritage Service, the Blackpool Illuminations Collection is made up of thousands of individual items that document the rich history of this annual spectacle. Brought together under the four themes of, ‘Drawing Board’, ‘Behind the Scenes’, ‘In the News’ and ‘Progress’, this exhibition provides just a snapshot of some of the original drawings, posters, photographs and other ephemera that make up this extensive collection.