I wrote this a while back about the Illuminations Switch On, since the details haven’t been finalized I’m using this article for updates about Skegness Illumination event, in the comment section at the bottom of this page.
Since things haven’t been confirmed yet and Skegness Illumination Switch On hasn’t taken place for some time a review would be premature, so this ‘isn’t’ the same kind of article like the other What’s On in Skegness Reviews, it’s more my thoughts and feelings.
This article was originally published in News and Views
Original Article Below :
I don’t believe there going back to the old format for the Skegness Illuminations Switch on for 2011 :(
For the last couple of years since 2009 Skegness Illuminations has been included in the SO Festival, traditionally for years Skegness Illuminations was drab and boring, with some nobody celebrity switching on the light after being driven down Grand Parade in a limo as part of a crappy parade and then some fireworks which where not exactly spectacular were let off.
I for one was rejoiced to see the old format for Skegness Illuminations go and be replaced by a much more modern and magical experience during part of the SO Festival.
After two years it was obvious the Skegness Illumination Switch on wasn’t working during the SO Festival, it got lost against the more visually stunning modern festival and there was also an issue raised by parents that the lights were being switched on too late for the little ones to enjoy (although this years illuminations switch on will be in August when it doesn’t get dark until 11 o’clock at night.)
All of these points are valid argument to have the Skegness Illumination 2011 given it’s own event away from the more imposing SO Festival.
But I’m shocked that they have gone back to the outdated and mundane Skegness Illuminations Switch on, lots of holiday makers didn’t like the Illuminations switch on and councilors expressed a concern at the cost of the so called celebrities to pretend to switch on the lights.
Apparently it costs thousands to have a washed up ex-celebrity spend 10 minutes of their time in Skegness.
Nothing is confirmed as yet, but on the grape vine I’ve heard there will again be a parade, forgotten celebrity and small fireworks to switch on the lights.
Also we have a brass band festival to be included on the same day as part of the Skegness Illuminations Switch on ‘NOT MORE BRASS BANDS!’ how many times does Skegness have to have brass bands in a year, apparently it’s not enough to have them play two or three time a week during the summer holidays ‘no’ they also need a festival dedicated to them, GRRRRR!
I suppose someone thought this was a touch of genius on the Illuminations Committee, ‘IT’S NOT’, have any of them thought about asking the kids themselves what they would like during an event mainly for them or perhaps trying out a new devise called Google that can show you ideas of what other switch on events in other regions have in the country.
Blackpool had a massive music festival and booked Robby Williams in 2010 to switch on Blackpool’s Illuminations.
I for one am saddened by this turn of events, not the fact that the Illuminations is not apart of the SO Festival, that doesn’t bother me. I agree the Skegness Illuminations needs a day of it’s own, It’s more the going back in time to something that didn’t work in the first place, surely they could have come up with an event as visually fun as the SO Festival on a smaller scale for the little kids.
The last ever Skegness Switch on in 2008 were switched on by some women called Jane McDonald that the kids and young people (like me at 36 :)) didn’t even know.
Come on Skeg, surely your more imaginative than this? After people experience the SO Festival in July it will just be embarrassing to follow it up with this non event, which it will be if it’s anything like the past Illumination Switch On’s.
I hope I’m wrong, that I’ve heard incorrectly and the Skegness Illuminations 2011 will be a ‘NEW’ festival of fun, colour and magic for families, but I suspect it won’t be.
When oh when is Skegness going to start moving with the times, it’s going to take a bit more than just 3 days in a year during the SO Festival to turn it around for Skegness.
The 70’s was a terrible era why stay there!
Whoa is me, alas it turned out my fear that the Skegness Illuminations Switch On 2011 was to go back to the dark ages has been confirmed :(
This saddens me a great deal, going back to the traditional Skegness Illumination Switch On for 2011 is totally depressing :(
In my article above I wrote ‘I hope I’m wrong’, but it looks like the dinosaurs are back in Skegness, so with great personal ‘regret’ here is the run down for the Illuminations Switch On in Skegness on the 6th August 2011.
The Skegness illuminations will be switched on by Stavros Flatley, there has been mention of them riding down the Skegness Waterway, but not confirmed or have any details.
Details are a bit sketchy about exactly what’s happening during the Illumination Switch On at this point, but I assume it will be the same as it used to be before the Illuminations was a part of the SO Festival, which was tractors with adverts on it moving slowly down Grand Parade, irritating red coats from Butlins dancing and singing because they give some money (they usually did) to the Illumination Switch on, watch the Z list Celeb do their thing for 10 mins then have a disappointing 5 minute fireworks display :(
I find it dis-heartening that after the success and popularity of the SO Festival, finally giving Skegness some prestige, that they would go back to an old event that never worked in the first place to bring in visitors.
I find it totally confusing on how exactly Stavros Flatley is entertainment for little kids, they are not going to know who they are.
httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6yrHBFMJSbg
They should have just had a great DJ (could be local) playing some good music to rally the crowds, a local hero to switch on the lights like the Skegness RNLI crew and a decent fireworks display, people travel miles to see a good Fireworks display and pay good money, the spitfire proms fireworks display for example costs £25 a ticket with 7,000 visitors attending every year and Belvoir Castle again around 7 – 10,000 people attending their Fireworks companionship’s and they charge £15 a ticket for 4 ten minute displays.
It wouldn’t surprise me if the main reason the crowds in previous years viewing the Skegness Illumination where there was just to see the fire works display.
I’ll update on the full Skegness Illuminations Switch On event when the information is available on what’s happening on the 6th August 2011.
Still can’t believe this :(
Marie
So far I have this list of what is happening on the day of the Skegness illuminations,
A full day of events.
Fireworks and Family Entertainment
Switch on by Stavros Flately 9.30pm
Skegness Brass Festival
Busking Music Festival
Hosted by Lincs FM celebrity DJ / Radio Presenter
Busking Music Festival seems interesting, don’t Know where it will be in Skegness on the 6th of August. There’s no information on what it is, but I’ll take an educated guess and say buskers will be in Skegness for the Skegness Illuminations.
Nice to see their listening at last, I’ve mentioned this several times on various posts about one possible option of bringing buskers in to give people an alternative to brass bands.
Looks like my hubby voicing his opinions on facebook is getting some attention at last.
No real detail though on the Skegness Illuminations event as usual, it’s so frustrating it’s like they don’t want you to know anything about what’s happening during the Skegness illumination event.
One day they will learn information is the key to successfully bringing people to Skeggy for an event.
People will not venture out if they don’t know what they are getting.
Marie
A full programme of events has now been agreed
Here are some of the events on in the Inn on the park.
Skegness Silver band, Alford Silver band, From 11am till 145pm
Tower Esplanade stage from 1pm Silver sounds brass, 215pm Swineshead Silver
6pm Cheer on the parade as it makes its way along the foreshore
630pm Butlins famous Redcoats will entertain with their toe tapping dances – great for the kids to burn off some energy
Also Lindy Hop Dancing, Market Rasen RPC Band, Janicee sutton Dancers, on stage from 730pm
840pm waterways parade
9pm Stavros Flatley will be on stage
945pm Fireworks
We are visiting Skegness for our holiday from Sheffield from 30 July to 13 August and had no idea the lights were due to be switched on while we are there. It is only thanks to Trevor’s comment that I have any idea of what is happening. Not sure I fancy brass bands or toe tapping Redcoats but we might let the kids stay up for the fireworks (age 10, 8 and almost 5). Thank you Trevor for telling us what we want to know….unlike all the other sites I’ve visited!
The full list of events has been released of what will be happening during the Skegness Illuminations.
It all kicks off at 6pm with the Land Parade that will be going down Grand Parade towards the clock tower
6.15pm official opening
6.25pm Butlins red coats entertain the crowd
6.45winning buskers perform
7pm music from mango moon
7.30pm louth lindy hop group dancing
8.10pm Market Raisin RPC Band
8.40pm Janic Sutton Dancers
8.50pm Staveros Flately will be heading up the waterway towards the clock tower
9.10pm Taiko Drummers
9.25pm Staveros Flatley Perform
9.40pm count down light are switched on
9.45pm Fireworks
10pm Taiko Drummers close the Skegness Illuminations Switch On.
I might have to eat my word a little (lets hope so :)), it looks like we could be getting some music and real talent on stage with the bands and the Taiko Drummers above which will be great.
Unlike the Skegness Illumination in the past it looks like they are trying to modernise it a little, still not sure about following mostly the old format of the Skegness Illuminations, but it looks like they are at last thinking a little outside the box, by bringing entertainment a bit more adventurous than what their used to providing.
Now all we need is for them to go all the way outside the box and we could have an event to rival the SO Festival and maybe even Blackpool :)
Marie
Well, how was it ? and what is planned for this year ?
You need a good mix of entertainment for all ages at an event like that. middle of the road music, no extremes. A busking & folk music festival is good as it includes some mellow as well as music with a beat and guitars. Something up beat. You can’t charge for fireworks as people will just stand and watch in the free areas I’m afraid. I’d get rid of the brass bands, its not a Christmas light switch on. Butlins Red Coats are good as they can do all sorts of entertainment, they could do a variety show on their own and entertain the kids. Sounded quite good to me for a free event. Its a shame that you have to switch them on from the clock tower, it isn’t the best location for it. Do they have a stage these days or do they still use the balcony ?