Clacton Pier bosses have praised visiting families and staff for playing their part to make the attraction’s 155th birthday celebrations a weekend to remember.
The event – which included the pier’s biggest and best ever free fireworks display – went off with a real bang and even the weather played ball.
Special £1.55 rides wristbands were given out to 155 lucky lottery winners, 155 cup cakes were distributed over the weekend and a celebratory cake baked by chef Jon Fraser.
On top of that there was free live music on Saturday and Sunday, a new history trail around the site to enjoy and talks by local historian Norman Jacobs in the Boardwalk Bar.
Nigel Brown, the pier’s communications manager, said: “It was a very special weekend to be remembered. The owners put on a host of fun for everyone and families responded by turning up in their droves and helped to create a fantastic atmosphere.
“Thanks also to our whole team who worked tirelessly in the heat to make sure everybody had a great time.
“It could not have gone any better and will give us plenty to live up to in five years-time when we celebrate our 160th birthday.”
The firework extravaganza included new pyrotechnics and had musical accompaniment which will be used for all future displays with the next being on August 8.
The Pier into the Past history trail, which was unveiled for the first time, is now a permanent feature and gives the story of 12 separate locations which have been important in years gone by.
It created a great deal of interest and picks up on the popular Steel Stella ride, the ice rink, Oscars Nightclub, the various theatre and entertainment venues, and other areas of interest.
Pier general manager Harry Peek was delighted with the celebrations which had taken a large amount of effort to plan and execute.
“We are fortunate to have a great pier family who helped pull this all together and we were able to share it with the wider pier family of loyal guests who support us all through the year,” he added.
“It’s weekends like that that make us feel like one community and we hope everybody enjoyed it as much as we did.”
Mr Peek also thanked Norman Jacobs for giving up his weekend to provide informative talks about the pier’s history.
FIREWORKS PHOTOS BY MATT MALLETT AND KEV JAY
