Leicester Fireworks festival supports Hope Against Cancer
On 4th November, Leicester Racecourse held its newly revamped fireworks festival with live music, magic, a funfair and two impressive firework displays (one for children and a later one for adults).
As the racecourse’s 2023 charity of the year Hope was provided with hospitality space in the boxes and Club room for which we sold tickets. It was a great space where our guests were then able to base themselves for the event. There was food provided by the racecourse and shelter from the intermittent rain both inside and from the covered balcony beyond.
The Hope hospitality area had the finest view available that night with the firework display being set up in the track U-bend directly in front of us.
Opening at 4, heavy clouds seemed to give way to patches of light blue and spots of red sky on one side, while remaining dark on the other. This was the way the weather went throughout the night, sometimes rain, sometimes not. Fortunately for all, when it did rain it didn’t last too long and it didn’t seem to dull the crowd's enthusiasm for the myriad of entertainment laid on by the racecourse.
Looking out from the grandstand on the falling night it was anything but dark. In front was a well-lit stage for the live acts, and, later on, Fun House superstar, and DJ, Pat Sharp! Over to the right was the bright funfair with dodge-ums, and many a spiraling, scream inducing ride. And everywhere else there were children, and probably more than a few adults, swinging multi-coloured glowing sticks and swords.
Behind the stand there were carts of food which filled the air with the beautiful smells of spices, burgers, fried onions, salt, vinegar and chips. Alongside these stood stalls selling jewellery, Christmas cards, sweets and much more.
Some amazing Hope volunteers also ran a stall selling items alongside a very popular tombola of generously donated items. Other intrepid volunteers braved the weather and roamed the site in hi-vis Hope tops carrying collection buckets.
And then there was the children’s area located near the winner's circle. A riot of laughter tumbled from various bouncy castles, the face painting area, and the magic show.
At 7.30, Hope staff members, Barbara and Tim, took to the stage to introduce us to the crowd, to thank them for their support and to wish everyone a good night.
And then the first display began. Purples, oranges, greens, reds, and blues fanned out into the sky and finished to a surge of applause from the captivated crowd.
The second display, a few hours later, was even more impressive and provided a fine crescendo to a wonderful, and productive year for Hope Against Cancer as Leicester Racecourse’s charity of the year.
The event would not have been possible without the huge efforts of Lucy, who stood by the front gate for many hours ensuring that our guests were identified and knew where to go, Barbara and Tim who were everywhere else helping our guests and volunteers, the incredible volunteers themselves - Matteo, Will, Dorothy, Julie, Charlotte, Lizz and Sally - and the brilliant racecourse team.
