History of the GoldWing Light Parade at Blackpool Illuminations
Some form of light parade has always been an integral part of the GoldWing social event calendar, though they are usually centred around an organised GoldWing event.
“Just wanted to say thanks to you and the team for a fantastic weekend, despite the weather!!! We at Broadland Wings haven't stopped talking about it yet and look forward to next year.”
KS, Broadland Wings
Back in 2002, however, several members of the "Lancs & Lakes" region of the GoldWing Owners Club of Great Britain decided that an organised run through Blackpool Illuminations would be a great way to show off the bikes and generally have a good night out in the process.
Many members had done the Illuminations run on a regular basis, but always in small numbers of 2-3 Wings. However, the effect this larger group of bikes had on the visitors to Blackpool was amazing. So the idea of an official regional event was well received – and duly organised for early September 2003.
The first Blackpool Light Parade attracted 43 GoldWings from several GWOCGB regions – a tremendous
turnout for an inaugural event. 
There were GoldWings of every category, including several 3-wheel trikes and a combination
sidecar outfit.
The success of the first event prompted the organisers to hold the event on an annual basis, and 2004's Light Parade saw 104 GoldWings from all over Great Britain and Northern Ireland turn up for the most amazing spectacle on two wheels.
On September 3rd 2005, over 300 GoldWings paraded along Blackpool's world-famous "Golden Mile", watched by thousands of fascinated spectators.
The 2006 GoldWing Light Parade was held on Saturday September 2nd, during the Blackpool Illuminations switch-on weekend, and was yet again hugely successful. The weather tried its best to put a dampener on this year's event, but the members of GWOCGB (GoldWing Owners Club of GB) turned out in huge numbers and presented the town of Blackpool with the biggest parade of illuminated GoldWings ever seen — with over 400 highly decorated machines taking part in the parade.
In 2007, the Light Parade was in its
5th year, and to celebrate we made some significant changes to the event.
We introduced a wide range of "Pose on the Prom 2007" Merchandise with the facility to purchase online or via a downloadable order form — everything from t-shirts to bomber jackets.
The location of the GoldWing Charity Display and Light Parade start point was changed to the People’s Playground to accommodate more GoldWings and afford us more space and better parking facilities.
The area was far bigger and it allowed more tourists to view the bikes, so Wingers could show off their GoldWings and collect more charity donations for the North West Air Ambulance!
The Light Parade was also extended by about 1 mile, to become 6.5 miles in total.
