New attractions for this year’s Walsall Illuminations, which last year saw visitor numbers plunge to an all time low, will include a variety of popular children’s characters, it was revealed today.
A giant water screen with laser shows, fireworks display, fairground rides and lights displays featuring children’s favourites Dora the Explorer, Go Diego Go and Spongebob Squarepants may be among attractions.
Other popular characters include Bob the Builder, Peppa Pig, Barney the Dinosaur and Angelina Ballerina while there will be a number of themed nights including Pirates of the Arboretum, Harry Potter and Halloween.
Last year 120,000 people visited the show which recorded losses of £200,000.
Helen Worton, aged 31, of Streetly visited last year’s show with her children Christopher, aged nine, and Lauren, two.
She said: “Obviously the little ones love to see their favourite characters up in lights but it all seems very similar to what has gone before and I’m disappointed there do not appear to be more radical changes planned this year.”
It is understood a giant water ride hailed as one of last year’s star features has been axed. In other changes this year’s event returns to a more traditional date after an experiment to move it nearer Christmas failed to work. Dates are September 26 to November 2.
4 Comments
I used to go when I was a nipper, bot not any more: too expensive, too risky on the transport system getting there. A shame, really, but what can you do? This is Walsall.
They must keep going - they are the jewel in Walsall’s crown and if they go Walsall will be a desert of nothing !!!
i took my oldest daughter who is 4 last year…but we was both very disappointed with the whole thing!!!it took us all of half an hour to walk round. i vowed never to go again ! but if dora,etc are going to be there this year i might give it another go.
make sure you do a decent display of the cartoon charaters this time. not just cardboard cutouts with 5 lightbulbs sticking out of it.