Bosses at Clacton Pier are preparing to celebrate the landmark attraction’s 155th birthday in style.
The event will be staged over the weekend of July 25 and 26 and will include special prices – just £1.55 for a Big Day Out Band for 155 lucky guests.
There will also be giveaways, and a bigger than ever free fireworks extravaganza, as well as an informative new history trail.
The pier was built in 1871 as a landing stage for paddle steamers and visitors to the new town of Clacton-on-Sea and opened on July 18.
Since then it has developed into the largest pleasure pier in Europe attracting around one million visitors each year.
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.
It is also hoped to stage two talks in the Jolly Roger Theatre – one each on Saturday and Sunday afternoon – featuring the town’s resident historian Norman Jacobs who will provide a look back over more than a decade and a half.
Chef Jon Fraser will also be making a five-tier birthday cake to mark the occasion.
Those wanting to enter the free lottery for the £1.55 Big Day Out Bands can do so on the website where they will need to provide their email address and they will be informed if they have been successful.
It will go on the website by the end of this week.
“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.
