Clacton Pier's 155th birthday set to be celebrated later this month
The event will be staged on the 25th and 26th July
Clacton Pier is preparing to celebrate it's 155th birthday - with the event set to take place over the weekend of the 25th and 26th of July.
The pier was built in 1871 as a landing stage for paddle steamers and visitors to the new town of Clacton-on-Sea.
Since then, the pier now attracts around one million visitors each year, with the pier saying they are the "largest pleasure pier in Europe".
General manager Harry Peek said it is amazing that most of the original structure is still standing today and the business goes from strength to strength at the heart of the local community.
“We are going to celebrate this special occasion and we want our loyal guests and visitors to join in the fun,” he added.
“There will be a chance to get a Big Day Out Band for just £1.55 instead of £30, through a lottery ticket where 155 lucky winners will be drawn out.
“There will be 155 specially made cupcakes given out over the weekend and the biggest and best free fireworks display we have ever staged at around 9.30pm, or as soon as it is dark enough, on the Saturday.
“The extravaganza will be set to music with some brand new pyrotechnics and effects.”
Mr Peek said that the new Pier into the Past history trail will be launched on that weekend and has been designed to highlight 12 specific locations around the site giving a nod to past uses of those particular areas.
“Although the current owners Billy and Elliot Ball have owned the attraction for 16 years the entire history of the site remains of the utmost importance to them,” he added.
The locations include the Dolphinarium, Seaquarium, Children’s Theatre, Ocean Theatre, Ice Skating Rink and the popular Oscars Nightclub.
A five-tier birthday cake is also set to mark the occasion, made by chef Jon Fraser.
“We aim to have a special weekend to celebrate a special birthday and everyone is welcome to come along and join the party,” added Mr Peek.