A special event staged by Clacton Pier to support the town’s carnival fundraising efforts went off with a real bang.
Families flocked to the attraction over three evenings to make the most of heavily discounted rides.
And there was also a huge turnout for a free fireworks extravaganza on the Saturday night which proved the centrepiece of the activities.
Along with free live music across the weekend there was plenty of fun in the sun for all ages to enjoy.
Nigel Brown, Clacton Pier’s Communications Manager, said that the event started out four years ago as one night of discounted rides bands.
“It has steadily grown in popularity which encouraged the pier’s owners to extend it to Friday, Saturday and Sunday with the fireworks in the middle,” he added.
“The attraction is always keen to support the local community and give something back to the town. The carnival is very close to our heart as it began on the pier in 1922 and is a major part of the annual programme.
“Clacton Carnival Association works very hard to put on a week of activities and we are very proud to support its efforts which also raise much-needed funds for good causes.”
The pier will be giving a significant donation from its takings from £10 rides bands to help boost the association’s fundraising efforts.
It also helped by taking in the coins from the carnival procession and converting them to notes after the bank which previously did this closed earlier this year.
Debbie West, Clacton Carnival Association Treasurer, said the link-up with the pier has proved a massive help.
“In 2021 the owners came forward and offered to kick-off the carnival week with a Carnival Pier Night which has now grown into something much bigger,” she added.
“We are very grateful for the donation they make and this year they virtually acted as a bank for us which made a huge difference with all the coins we collected from the procession.”
The final amount from the procession was £2,886.45.
The pier will be staging another free fireworks display this Saturday (Aug 17) starting around 9pm.
PHOTOS BY KEVIN JAY/DRONESHOTZ
