All fired up for Gunpowder Plod bonfire night celebration (From York Press)

All fired up for Gunpowder Plod fireworks event

9:19am Saturday 27th October 2012 in News By Kate Liptrot, kate.liptrot@thepress.co.uk

ORGANISERS of a Bonfire Night celebration which will include a firework display, a run, beer festival, fairground rides and live music have said tickets are selling fast for the festival-style event.

About 5,000 tickets have so far sold for the city’s first Gunpowder Plod and Fireworks Festival, and the number of participants has almost reached the 1,500 capacity for the 5k run set against a pyrotechnic backdrop.

The family event, being organised by Rat Race Adventure Sports at Knavesmire on November 5, will include musical performances from Reverend And The Makers and The Littlemores as well as storytelling, a carousel and dodgems, a climbing wall and zorbing.

Meanwhile specialist ales will be on sale and acoustic sets performed in the beer tent.

Event organiser Jim Mee, of Rat Race Adventure Sports, said: “The Gunpowder Plod will be like nothing York has seen before. It’s bonfire night on a huge scale.

“The whole event will have a real festival feel, with bands on the main stage and in the beer tent, alongside other awe-inspiring performers and a festival village offering food, drink and a whole host of entertainment for people of all ages.

“The fireworks themselves will be a spectacle worthy of the birthplace of Guy Fawkes, and the run adds a sporting element, which makes this event totally unique.”

Billed as the “biggest Bonfire Night celebrations in York’s history”, up to 10,000 people are expected to attend.

Organisers have said the event will bring a £500,000 boost for the city’s economy, with almost 100 Yorkshire businesses involved, including marquee hire, security, plant hire, food and drink and specialist event firms.

For more information about the Gunpowder Plod, visit gunpowderplod.com Other events on November 5 include a bonfire and fireworks, choreographed to music, along with entertainment and refreshments at York Maze. Tickets only.

There will be a choreographed fireworks, lighting and special effects show at Rawcliffe Country Park ,with fairground rides and a re-enactment of the Gunpowder Plot. For more details, visit kaboomyork.com Organisers of Tockwith and District Show are also hosting their fourth annual bonfire and firework display at the showfield on Cattal Moor Lane on November 5 to raise funds towards next year’s summer show.

Gunpowder Plod timetable of events

Main stage and arena
• 4pm Main gates open - all attractions and beer tent open
• 4.30pm The Entertainment Company
• 5.30pm The Littlemores
• 6pm FlameOz Fire Performers (freestyle arena show)
• 6.15pm Run warm-up and
briefing from the main stage
• 6.30pm Start of the Gunpowder Plod 5k
• 6.30pm FlameOz Fire Performers (freestyle arena show)
• 7.30pm Trevor Rooney recounts the Gunpowder Plot
• 7.55pm FlameOz stage show
• 8pm Fireworks set to a sporting soundtrack
• 8.30pm Montego Bay
• 9.30pm Reverend and the Makers

Storytelling tent
• 5.30pm Adrian Spendlow tells horrible histories (for kids)
Facepainting is also on offer in the storytelling tent

Beer tent stage
• 5pm Helen Chambers
• 6pm Mark Wynn
• 6.30pm Aimie J Ryan
• 7pm Boss Caine