Business people and councillors were shown a 'concept' of what this year's colourful festival could look like at a presentation at the Embassy Theatre on Friday.

Last year thousands of spectators flocked to the beach to see opera on big screens a nd an out-of-this-world fireworks display.

Once again East Lindsey District Council has secured L250,000 Arts Council funding to stage the event, which will incorporate the annual
illuminations switch-on.

ELDC has set itself a challenge to expand the festival to four days, from July 22-25. and has engaged the services of festival director and producer Robin Morley to do this.

ELDC leader Coun Doreen Stephenson said: "Last year was a fantastic year for Skegness in particular as well as other parts of the coast.

"It is an exciting time because we are looking forward to not just this year of the Cultural Olympiad but also the Olympics in 2012, the Commonwealth Games in 2014 and the World Cup in 2018 whether it comes to the UK or not."

Mr Morley set out his perception for the festival, saying: "It will be a festival that has vision and ideas, local knowledge and local identity coming through."

It is hoped the events will take place during the day and in the evenings and the majority of the performances and attractions will be free.

Sementha Neal, ELDC business manager for health, arts and events, said the district council had learned from its mistakes regarding promotion of the event.

She explained ELDC was hoping to expand the package of events on offer and use the festival to encourage visitors to return to the area again to explore more.

She added: "We are using the festival as the 'sprat to catch the mackeral'."

Peter Knott, director arts and development for Arts Council England, East Midlands, said: "We are expecting SO 2010 will build on the reputation established last year and as the dates (22-25 July) coincide with the launch of the Cultural Olympiad across the country, it will part of a much wider arts buzz."

 

Published Date: 22 January 2010

Source: Skegness Standard