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York blasts back with impressive display

9:12am Thursday 6th November 2008 in News By Press reporter

Bonfire Night in its full glory at York Maze Bonfire Night in its full glory at York Maze Buy this photo »

BONFIRE Night celebrations returned to York with a bang last night as thousands of revellers gathered to watch a spectacular fireworks display.

More than 2,500 people descended on York Maze for the city’s only public display of fireworks. The impressive show laid to rest the international embarrassment that York suffered last year after the city failed to stage a public show in what is the hometown of Guy Fawkes.

Crowds marvelled at the giant 25ft high bonfire and enjoyed entertainment from fire eaters and jugglers.

The 15-minute firework display, which was choreographed to a pre-recorded soundtrack, was started by Rick Witter, the lead singer of Shed Seven.

Tom Pearcy, owner of York Maze, near Elvington, said: “It was fantastic. The bonfire must have been about the size of a house and everybody loved the fireworks. The kids really enjoyed the jumping pillow, which is a huge bouncy castle, and we had about six different food outlets, selling everything from hot dogs to toffee apples and curry. We’re delighted with how this first year has gone.”

Comments(11)

Therightstuff says...
9:56am Thu 6 Nov 08

We were wondering whether to go to the Castle Howard fireworks or York Maze. I'm glad we chose York Maze. After reading the reports of queues for over an hour for food and getting stuck in the mud in the car park at Castle Howard I was a bit worried. But York Maze pulled off a blinder. There were plenty of staff in the car park, ticket entry seemed well organised, though I wonder if they were checking tickets well enough. There were indeed lots of food stalls and a bar. There were queues for food but only about 15 mins, nothing like the 1hr plus reported at Castle Howard. The York Maze fireworks to music show was fantastic, Minster FM got everyone going and the soundrack featured some great anthems. Getting out of the car park was trouble free too. I think having a live band on after the fireworks helped stagger departure times so everyone didn't try to leave at once. Congratulation to York Maze for showing how an event should be run.

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doodles says...
10:49am Thu 6 Nov 08

When i first bought the tickets i was mislead by the press that kaiser cheifs and shed seven would be here but after a call from the ticket company which cleared up it would be only the music not the bands themself that sorted out that problem.
We arrived around 6.15pm and it was very easy to get in the carpark no q's which was shocking but they was so many people inside already. It soon filled up very quickly. I was very impressed with the amount of food stalls and things for kids to do, climbing frames, huge bouncing pillow - which i wanted to go on but thought i better not show myself up haha.
The fireworks was advertised as a half hour display but it was only 15 minutes but they was great. The finale firework we was all left standing not even applauding because we all expected a little bit more!!!
Fantastic little xmas shop inside and i wanted so much but never took enough money with me to get it all.
Would love to know where we can visit that little shop again as it was a one off - last night only.
Minster fm really worked the crowd, the atmosphere was fantastic, well organized. Fantastic well done to everyone involved.
Look forward to next years!!

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doodles says...
10:58am Thu 6 Nov 08

Forgot to say, the fire jugglers and fire eaters etc was a little shoddy too...
It was ONE man in a fire suit throwing fire sticks in the air and a little juggling with a little running up the field to stood talking to the crowd! Not very entertaining. He was talented but after 5 minutes of watching his routine you got a little bored with him as he kept repeating himself!!!

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BL2 says...
11:21am Thu 6 Nov 08

Could have done with some warning signs on the B1228 - the road was quite badly queued at one point (a bit like when the airshow is on). Could have been a bit close for people coming round the S bend and over the little blind rise into stationary traffic. The council (I assume) road signs warning of "Queues Likely" are a bit pointless as they're about 100 yards from the entrance and you've been in the queue for about 400+ yards at that point...

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BigJon says...
4:56pm Thu 6 Nov 08

doodles wrote:
Forgot to say, the fire jugglers and fire eaters etc was a little shoddy too... It was ONE man in a fire suit throwing fire sticks in the air and a little juggling with a little running up the field to stood talking to the crowd! Not very entertaining. He was talented but after 5 minutes of watching his routine you got a little bored with him as he kept repeating himself!!!
True it may only have been one man, but he was nearly continuosly juggling and runninbg up & down from before I got there (about 6.30) to the time the bonfire was lit (about 7.30) so he must've been well worn out by then.

As with everyone else I would like to congratulate York Maze on their organisation of the even. Lots of food vendors not only meant low queues (the most time I spent was about 10 minutes) but also a wide choice - and no prices seemed to be overly inflated, as sometimes happens at this kind of event.

And for me, no queues at the carpark whatsoever.....but then I did cycle :-)

Although the night was excellent I only have one slightly negative point - the choreography. It seemed as though the fireworks were just being let off with the music playing as an afterthought, rather than being choreographed to the music as advertised

btw doodles, I heard one of the staff telling a customer in the shop that they wanted to have parts of the place (ie the shop) open all year but they were refused permission due to compaints which is why it was only open on the night

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doodles says...
5:14pm Thu 6 Nov 08

Thats a shame big jon the shop was lovely and not too expensive either!

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Laurence says...
9:08pm Thu 6 Nov 08

Well done to the Maze for taking the initiative of organising this.

We had a great evening!

Next year, how about some public transport? Something similar to the buses that are organised for events at the racecourse.

I was pleasantly surprised to find different food on offer to the usual burger vans. However, it was disappointing to find no recycling for all the cans and bottles. I had thought of the Maze as a fairly eco-friendly venue, and it would have been easy to provide separate bins.

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Jonesy2110 says...
10:17pm Thu 6 Nov 08

i went to the castle howard firwork display on sunday and what a load of fire works yeah they was a show of fire eating but only for around 5-10mins. i was shocked at the lack of food at castle howard. the york maze sounded well better wish i had gone to the york maze now!!

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bob the builder says...
10:30pm Thu 6 Nov 08

None of these were in 'York' so 'York' failed miserably as usual unless the Dringhouses Riot classes as entertainment, roll on a pathetic Christmas Bah Humbug! Perhaps next year the local youth could burn down the racecourse stands and the football ground, now I'd pay a fiver to see that!

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captaineagleeye says...
11:58pm Thu 6 Nov 08

bob the builder - I do believe you may be quite mad

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BigJon says...
5:43am Fri 7 Nov 08

bob the builder wrote:
None of these were in 'York' so 'York' failed miserably as usual unless the Dringhouses Riot classes as entertainment, roll on a pathetic Christmas Bah Humbug! Perhaps next year the local youth could burn down the racecourse stands and the football ground, now I'd pay a fiver to see that!
True, the Castle Howard display was well outside York but whilst the York Maze may not be said to 'in' York it is well inside the area covered by the City of York Council, the border of which is just past Elvington

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