How to get A-Head at Blackpool Illuminations

Blackpool Illuminations are giving the whole of the UK the opportunity to get a-head in this year’s Blackpool Illuminations.

As part of the winning design from last year’s nationwide design competition, ‘localHeads’ invites the public to feature in a colourful, portrait-based installation. Visually influenced by 60’s pop art, the concept comprises of 288 ‘heads’ to form a vista of posterised portraits with each section being displayed in its own unique way.

So if you are looking for your 15-minutes of fame, Blackpool Illuminations can offer you 66 nights of it, with an audience of millions.

Cllr Maxine Callow, Cabinet Member for Tourism and Regeneration said, “Millions and millions of people are regular visitors to Blackpool and we want them to be represented in this new Illuminations feature. What we hope to achieve is a blend of all ages and a cross-section of local people and visitors so the artwork is a mix just like the town itself.”

Anyone can submit their picture and it’s really easy to do:

• Log on to our localHeads website www.localheads.co.uk  and follow the easy-to-follow instructions to submit your picture by Friday 18 July 2008
• Visit our localHeads photo booth at stand number 169 at The Kids Fun Ideas Show at Manchester Central on Saturday 5 and Sunday 6 July 2008 from 10.00 am to 4.00 pm;
• Or come along and see us at our official Open Day at the Illuminations Depot, Rigby Road, Blackpool on Thursday 10 July from 10.00 am to 8.00 pm.

 The 288 winning ‘heads’ will then be featured as part of our ‘localHeads’ illuminated collection in a quarter of a mile long illuminated archway of faces, which will take pride of place along Blackpool’s famous promenade.

Shrewsbury-based artist Andy McKeown, the man behind the design said: “The purpose of my design is to celebrate the dynamic community of locals, visitors and holiday makers that is the essence of Blackpool.

“This is the first time a Pop Art inspired design for the Illuminations has been featured, especially as the Illuminations are a fantastic record of social trends and themes and this will continue to be reflected in the localHeads features,” added Andy.

The lucky 288 winning pictures will be chosen at random using a lottery-style computer and all winners will be notified by 31 July 2008.