Festival of Fireworks 2015

WHAT: Festival of Fireworks 2015
WHY: It's a fireworks competition
WHEN: Saturday 5th September 2015
OPENING TIMES: Gates open at 5.00pm
WHERE: Catton Hall, Derbyshire
WHAT TIME DO THE FIREWORKS START: The first fireworks display will start at 8.30pm

This is the sixteenth year of competition and it features some of the highest calibre of pyrotechnics in the UK. The event is the brainchild of super display specialists Jubilee Fireworks and it goes from strength to strength every year. All of the displays are all set to music and really it’s a get together to see some of the best pyro available to our industry and of course, to see what has been brought to the table to add that little something out of the ordinary into the mix.

Whilst the gates open at around 5pm, spectators generally arrive on site from around 6.30 – 7.30pm and there will be concessions in effect but everyone is encouraged to bring seating, blankets, and a picnic and let the whole family just enjoy an evening of fantastic entertainment. There is some ‘pre-display’ entertainment which will be detailed closer to the time.

All of the competing displays are around 10 minutes each accompanied by music and lights and the first display gets under way for around 8:30pm with a break of around 10 minutes between to allow for set up etc.

The competitors this year are HC Pyrotechnics, Sirotechnics and Dragon Fireworks, all of which have a brilliant pedigree in the fireworks field having won some of the biggest accolades in International Fireworks competitions.

A little about the competing teams:

H C PYROTECHNICS – One of Belgium’s premier firework companies who organize a firework spectacular at home called ‘Knokke-Heist International Fireworks Contest’ which brings together some of the best pyro teams in Europe to fill the skies between 19th and 27th August. Sure to bring lots of colour to the event this will be one to watch.

SIROTECHNICS – Birmingham based display specialists. One of the less experienced teams headed by the dynamic Simon Harding but that said, having won the British Musical Firework Championships in 2013 and they continue to surprise and amaze with unique and innovative features in their display. Renowned for bringing something special, keep an eye on these boys.

DRAGON FIREWORKS – Surrey based display team who create ‘out of the box’ displays resulting in some truly magical results. The team have worked on a wide number of displays including Ringo Starr and a number of displays for Silverstone Grand Prix race circuit events.

Last, but by no means least the organizers of the event, JUBILEE FIREWORKS. Formed in 1987 they are a major driving force in UK pyrotechnics being previous holders of both the Southport British Musical Fireworks Championships and the British Firework Championships in Plymouth.

The venue, Catton Hall, has been owned by the same family since 1405 with the present hall built around the original property in 1740. Standing on the banks of the River Trent it is a magnificent site open to the public with a wide variety of events throughout the year.

Close to Birmingham and Leicester it offers a number of places to visit around about, especially being on the edge of the Derbyshire National Park.