14/09/2023
Merseyland Alternative Radio, a long established internet station based in the North West, has announced that LGBTQIA ally, singer and former headliner of Bristol Pride, Sophie Ellis Bextor will be switching on this autumn's Blackpool Illuminations. Local radio service for Blackpool, Central Radio, adds "Fresh from her appearance on Glastonbury’s Pyramid Stage and on the back of the release of her brand new studio album, singer Sophie Ellis-Bextor will perform on the Tower Festival Headland on Friday 1 September before pulling the switch to trigger four months of Illuminations." The Switch-On moment on the evening of Friday 1 September, is part of a spectacular programme of free entertainment which will start with a colourful float parade featuring the stars of Nickelodeon, the world’s favourite children’s TV channel. Starting from Central Pier, the parade will feature larger-than-life characters from SpongeBob SquarePants, PAW Patrol, Baby Shark, Monsters High and Transformers. They will be joined by around 100 dancers, musicians and street performers as they make their way to the Tower Festival Headland for a free family party including live music and entertainment leading up to the special moment when Sophie will switch on the famous lights. Once on, the lights illuminate the town through the long run up to Christmas and are switched off early in the New Year.
