Erection and Switch-On

Photo - Erection and Switch-OnOnce a feature is complete it can take its place within the six miles of Illuminations on Blackpool Promenade.

Erecting the Illuminations takes approximately 22 weeks - with a strict deadline of being ready for the big switch-on! In 2007, Cupide along with the rest of the Decodance road features, took pride of place outside Blackpool Tower.

Every year a ceremony is held to celebrate the start of the Illuminations and a famous person or celebrity is invited to switch them on, usually accompanied by live music and radio. There is also a private VIP party for visiting celebrities, local dignitaries and a few lucky individuals, including the Illuminations staff who take turns in attending. In 2007 it was Dr Who star, David Tennant who had the honour of switching the lights on.

2007 was unusual though as there was also a mini switch-on and press launch where Laurence Llewelyn-Bowen switched on just his Decodance section. As one of the artists responsible for Decodance I was fortunate to be invited to a separate VIP party at the De Vere Hotel.

Sadly, I don't have any photographs of Cupide being erected onto a lamp-post or the switch-on, but I'll endeavour to find some at a later date.

Photo Gallery

Photo - Cupide fitted and ready for the switch-on - Erection and Switch-On - Making of a Blackpool Illumination - © Sarah Myerscough
Cupide fitted and ready for the switch-on - Erection and Switch-On - Making of a Blackpool Illumination - © Sarah Myerscough

Photo - Laurence Llewelyn-Bowen at the Decodance press launch at the De Vere - Erection and Switch-On - Making of a Blackpool Illumination - © Sarah Myerscough
Laurence Llewelyn-Bowen at the Decodance press launch at the De Vere - Erection and Switch-On - Making of a Blackpool Illumination - © Sarah Myerscough

Photo - Cupide illuminated with Blackpool Tower lit up in the background - Erection and Switch-On - Making of a Blackpool Illumination - © Sarah Myerscough
Cupide illuminated with Blackpool Tower lit up in the background - Erection and Switch-On - Making of a Blackpool Illumination - © Sarah Myerscough

Photo - Cupide lit up during the Illuminations - Erection and Switch-On - Making of a Blackpool Illumination - © Sarah Myerscough
Cupide lit up during the Illuminations - Erection and Switch-On - Making of a Blackpool Illumination - © Sarah Myerscough

What are Blackpool Illuminations?

Photo - Sarah Myerscough (me) with Dr Who Dalek maquette made for Blackpool IlluminationsIf you have landed on this page from Google or another search engine or from a link on a website, you might just be wondering what you are looking at.

Blackpool Illuminations is the greatest free light show on earth, where Sarah Myerscough (me) works as an artist. The Illuminations are an annual event that takes place from late August / early September to November, along six miles of the promenade in Blackpool, a seaside resort in the North West of England.

Blackpool itself is the most visited seaside resort in Europe and provides family entertainment throughout the year. It has three piers, the 518ft Blackpool Tower featuring an excellent circus, miles of golden sands, a huge amusement park (Blackpool Pleasure Beach), a waxworks (Madame Tussaud's), a Sea Life Centre, a Ripley's Believe It Or Not, a zoo (Blackpool Zoo), two major theatres (Grand Theatre and The Opera House), dozens of amusement arcades (including Coral Island), a water park (Blackpool Sandcastle) and much, much more...

Where should you go next?

If you have landed on this page by chance and are wondering where to go next:

  • For more behind the scenes photographs of the Illuminations, select another page from the Blackpool Illuminations Gallery menu.
  • For information about my life as an artist, take a look at my Timeline pages.
  • If you are interested in purchasing artworks, take a look at my For Sale pages.
  • If you're not sure what you want, why not try my Lucky Dip?
  • Finally, if your appetite has been whet for a visit to Blackpool, take a look at my About Blackpool pages for links to Blackpool attractions, accommodation, events and more, but don't forget to bookmark me and come back some time!