A massive bonfire party will take place at Markeaton Park this weekend, with over £7,000 of fireworks due to be set off. The massive bonfire is made up of 20 tonnes of wood, including 400 pallets and 40 cable drums and was organised by Derby council. 30,000 people attended the display last year and organisers believe that the number will be even higher this year.
Radio station Ram FM will be on hand to kick things off at 5.30pm, with breakfast show DJs Dino and Pete hosting the evening. They
have organised an X-factor theme for their show, including getting
ITV's X-factor announcer Peter Dickson to record the countdown to the
bonfire lighting at 6.45pm, which this year will be done by the Mayor
of Derby, Councillor Barbara Jackson.
Sam Whitworth, marketing manager for Derby City Council said "The long-range weather forecast for the night looks really good, so everything is in place for a great night. Ram
FM are putting together an exciting road show to soundtrack the night
and we hope it will be the biggest bonfire event seen at Markeaton."
DJ Dino Weatherbed said "Pete and I are lucky guys. When you get out there in front of all those people it's great. We've never done one which we didn't absolutely love and this year will be just as good. We can't wait."
Derby
Congregational Cricket Club is hosting their own firework display on
the same night at the cricket ground on Brayfield Road, Littleover,
which organiser Mick Woolley said would be a much more community-based
celebration.
"Before
this year, we've always combined our Halloween and bonfire nights into
one. But this year we thought we'd go up against Markeaton Park. We haven't got their budget but we do have a really friendly, safe environment. We've got fireworks, a bonfire, fair rides, a bar and plenty of hot food. We've also got Derbyshire County Cricket Club star Steve Stubbings to light the fire. We're expecting about 500 people, so there should be a lively atmosphere." | 