More than two tonnes of explosives will light up the skies when the spectacular British Musical Fireworks Championship comes to Southport next week. Tony McDonough reports

Southport will see the skies lit up for two nights next weekend when the British Musical Fireworks Championship 2024 comes to the town.

More than two tonnes of explosives will be used during the event being held on Saturday, September 20 and 21. Sefton Council revealed every confirmed competitor at the eye-catching event which has been held since 1999.

With thousands of people expected to again flock to Southport’s Victoria Park, organisers gave more details of the event. Those taking part will be judged alongside the music on synchronisation, mood and flow, patterns, colours, effects, timing and the overall design.

This year’s competitors have been confirmed as:

• Electrify Pyrotechnics
• Bright Sparks Fireworks
• Xplosive Fireworks
• Dynamite Fireworks
• Fully Fused Fireworks
• The Art of Sparks

Joining regular judge and fireworks professional Bill Davis on the judging panel will be Simon Harding from Sirotechnics (recent winners at the Festival d’Art Pyrotechnique Cannes) Jonathan Finch from Celtic Fireworks and Mike Jones from the Pyro Studio.

Since 1999 the event has seen at least 130 spectacular fireworks displays fired to music to hundreds of thousands of thrilled spectators.

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Each requires around 5km of wire to connect up the electrical circuits and to set up each display, around 15 technicians work for 12 hours. All the fuses are lit by computer and all fireworks are still handmade, because machines may produce sparks.

Tickets are online only – you cannot pay by cash or card on the night. You can find out more information on display times and buy tickets on the Visit Southport website by clicking here.