The News & Star recently revealed the theme for Carlisle's annual fireshow next month.
This year’s theme is the circus and centre stage will be a 40ft Big Top bonfire!
Before the evening show, between 11am and 3pm, the public will be able to enjoy, circus-themed street entertainment. They will also be able to see the fantastic John Parkinson, from the Upfront Gallery, will amuse the crowds outside the Old Town Hall with his Stan Parker marionette puppets.
Throughout the day, John will be joined by clowns, stilt walkers and other circus performers.
The fireshow itself – which has been a regular annual fixture since 1987 – starts in Bitts Park at 6.30pm with the bonfire being lit at 7pm.
Around 2,000 fireworks will help the evening go with a whizz-bang followed by an "oooh" from the crowds.
The show, now in its 24th year, has been named by The Times as one of the top 10 fireshows in the UK. Each year takes a different theme with 2009 dedicated to Love Carlisle to coincide with the City of Culture bid; previous years have been staged around a haunted house, a birthday cake (to celebrate its 21st birthday) and the wild west.
It is one of the city council's biggest community events during the year and planning begins for it in July. This year a footfall of around 35,000 spectators is expected for the event which takes place on November 6.
Admission is free but collections will be made for the mayor’s charity fund and Rotary Club Carlisle (South).
Last year’s event raised around £6,000 for the two charities.
One hopes that this fantastic event will continue, but the cynic in me says perhaps we need to be asking how long it might be before the Fireshow falls victim to a round of spending cuts.
