LOCAL businesses can help Leicester’s Bonfire Night go with a bang by donating their broken or surplus wooden pallets.
The pallets will be used to create the centrepiece of the Abbey Park event: the huge bonfire that will go up in flames on Saturday (5 November).
Deputy city mayor Cllr Piara Singh Clair said: “It wouldn’t be Bonfire Night without a blazing fire – and we wouldn’t be able to build one without the generosity of local businesses.
“Once again, we’re asking businesses to help us build the biggest and best bonfire in Leicester by giving us their surplus pallets.
“The enormous bonfire is a focal point for our event, so we’re very grateful to all the businesses who help make it possible.”
Anyone with pallets who’s able to deliver them to Abbey Park on Friday (4 November) is asked to get in touch with the festivals & events team on 07784 233 997 or by email on festivals@leicester.gov.uk
Details for the drop-off, and a delivery time, will then be confirmed.
People planning on joining the fun of Bonfire Night event on Saturday 5 November are advised to buy their tickets now to benefit from some big discounts.
Early Bird tickets cost £8 for adults and £6 for under 16s and other concessions, while a group ticket for four people costs just £20. There’s free admission for children under four.
Providing tickets are still available, people deciding to attend at the last minute will be able to buy their tickets online before 7.30pm on the day of the event, but prices will rise to £10 for adults, £7 for under 16s and concessions, and £28 for a group ticket.
Please note that no tickets will be sold on the gate on the night.
The Early Bird e-tickets are now on sale via the De Montfort Hall website
People will simply have to scan the tickets on their phone or print them out to gain access to the park.
People can also buy their tickets in person from Visit Leicester, which is inside the King Richard III visitor centre on St Martins.
The city’s fireworks display and Bonfire Night festivities take place in Abbey Park on Saturday (November 5), with a fun-packed programme of events for all ages, including live entertainment, a funfair and plenty of hot food stalls.
There will be live music from BluBeat, an eight-piece band playing Motown, pop and rock, while fire performers will amaze visitors with their pyrotechnic skills.
A quieter firework display for younger visitors will take place at 6.45pm, when a 'fire dragon bird' – with flares and fire fountains – lights the bonfire, before the dazzling main display lights up the skies above the city at 8pm.
The Abbey Park gates will open at 5pm on 5 November, when the funfair and food stalls will open. Live music and entertainment will get under way at 6pm, with the children’s firework display and the lighting of the bonfire due to take place at 6.45pm. A countdown to the main firework display will start at 8pm, with musical entertainment continuing until 9pm.
To ensure all visitors can enjoy the event, a viewing area will be reserved for wheelchair users.
People are reminded that no sparklers, fireworks or alcohol can be brought onto the site – and only assistance dogs can be admitted.
There is no car parking in Abbey Park, Abbey Park Road, St Margaret’s Pastures car park or the surrounding areas during the event, and visitors are encouraged to walk, use public transport or cycle to the event, using the bike parks on site.
A limited number of parking spaces for Blue Badge holders are available close by, but these must be booked in advance by emailing festivals@leicester.gov.uk
For advice on cycling and walking routes, visit www.choosehowyoumove.co.uk
More information about Bonfire Night in Leicester is available at visitleicester.info