Programme of Events and Activities for 2008

Thursday 18th September 2008

Thursday?! Yes indeed - although the Event itself officially starts on Friday, you can book an extra night on Thursday at Pontin's too if you wish (except that, unfortunately, children cannot be accommodated for Thursday night). Bars, swimming pool and other attractions will be open all day. Pontin's entertainment programme in the evening.

2pm: Ride Out around the Fylde

If there is sufficient demand, we will provide a Leader for a Ride Out around the Fylde, returning to Pontin's at about 5pm.

5.30-7pm: Evening Meal in Pontin's Restaurant

Buffet style, plenty of choice.

8pm-late: Wingers Meet in the Queen Victoria Pub

Relax, meet old friends, chill out.....

Friday 19th September 2008

10am: Pontin's Cafe open for coffee and snacks

Just inside the entrance to Pontin's.

2pm: Check In starts at Pontin's

Check In will take place in the Stardust Lounge and chalets of the type you have booked will be allocated as soon as they become available. You will not have to wait unnecessarily and most people should get their key immediately they arive.

2-8pm: Event Registration Open in the Stardust Lounge

Tea, Coffee, etc. available - or check out the bar. Register for the Event and get your yellow sticker for the bike and your goodie bag to explore. A limited supply of souvenir BLP 2008 patches will be available for purchase but not regalia, which has to be bought in advance. (use the on-line ordering available on this website.) Relax and meet your GoldWing friends as they arrive. Arrive early if you wish to familiarise yourself with site layout and make full use of Pontin's extensive facilities, all of which are open to you - swimming, bars, play areas, snooker hall, etc. The choice is yours - have a great time!

Note that bikes may be parked anywhere on site throughout the whole weekend providing they do not block the walkways and roadways. Please ride cautiously, especially past openings between rows of chalets, children could suddenly run out. After unloading near your chalet (if you wish), cars must be moved to the car parks without delay.

2pm: Bike Lighting Sales and Workshop opens

In Stardust Two (the room behind the Stardust Lounge Bar). This is indoor space where you can buy display lighting and wiring and other accessories - and also get advice and help to fit them to your bike. You can even get bits of your bike gold plated!

2pm: Ladies' Pamper Zone opens for Hairdressing, manicure, aromatherapy

In a block of four chalets to the right of the Dunes Conference Centre. Ask at Event Registration about appointments.

3pm: Children's Entertainment

Pontin’s will be providing a programme of children’s entertainment throughout the weekend and details will be available via Event Registration or Pontin’s Reception near the Main Gate.

The Swimming Pool (opposite the Stardust Lounge entrance) is also open for Children's Supervised Swimming Session (Pontin's Rule: Children under 9 must be accompanied in the Pool; age 9 and over OK if they pass a swimming assessment by the Pool Attendant).

5-7pm: Evening Meal in the Restaurant

Eat as much as you like from the Buffet. Three courses and beverages. Healthy options too.

7.30pm: Best Lit Bike Competition

Static Display of Illuminated GoldWings, at Pontin's in the open area outside Stardust Lounge. Judged at 8.30pm by guest experts. There will be a Design Expert from Blackpool’s Festival of Light Department and a bike expert from HondaUK. Prizes will be given for best lit trike/combo and best lit solo. Marks for Artistic Impression and Technical Merit so don’t expect to win by covering your bike with twinkling fridge magnets unless they are really artistic!

8pm-late: "Pose on the Prom 2008" Friday Night Entertainment

In the Stardust Lounge. Welcome, Your Money Back Raffle (£195, the price of a three night stay for two) and Best Lit Bike Prize-giving followed by a Comedian.

6pm-late: Bar open in the Queen Victoria Pub, with Games Room next door

Stardust is where our private entertainment takes place for the weekend but the Queen Vic is also available to us and offers an alternative environment and alternative entertainment. Children are not allowed in the Pub after 11pm.

9pm-late: Chip Shop and Burger Bar for calorie top-ups.

Next to the Queen Vic Pub.

Saturday 20th September 2008

8.30-10.30am: Breakfast in the Restaurant

Sample Pontin's extensive offerings - all you can eat! Healthy options too.

9am-10.30pm: Event Registration Open at Pontin's Reception

An opportunity for those who could not get here on Friday to Register for the Display and Parade. Event Registration facilities for the Parade will also be available from 10am-5pm at St Chad’s Headland and also from 6-7.15pm at the Cenotaph.

9am-5pm: Display Lighting Sales and Workshop

In Stardust Two, an indoor space where you can buy display lighting and wiring accessories - and also get advice and help to fit them to your bike.

10am-6pm: Ladies' Pamper Zone

Hairdressing, manicure, aromatherapy; in a block of four chalets to the right of the Dunes Conference Centre.

10am-5pm: Pose on the Prom Display Day 1

An All-Day Public Static Display of GoldWings and a Biking Exhibition on the Prom, at St Chad’s Headland, just South of Central Pier. The Display will include exhibitions by Blackpool Honda (with HondaUK's big Exhibition Truck), BMF, MAG, IAM and other biking and safety organisations.

There will also be a Riding Arena, in which demonstrations of skilled riding will take place. This includes displays by the Central Florida Motorcycle Drill Team, the reigning World Champions. Personal Appearances by Loen Haslam, Cal Crutchlow, Ron Haslam and John McGuiness on the Honda Stand. This is a display of GoldWings to the general public, so other bikes will be parked separately. Only GoldWings and bikers who are accompanying personal guests of the Winger will be allowed on to the Headland for the Saturday Display. Take care crossing the tram tracks and please take notice of the Marshals who will direct you where to park.

Blackpool and Preston North Rotary Clubs will be collecting from the public for charity for us throughout the day at St Chads Headland.

2.30-4.30pm: Judging of GoldWings at St Chad’s Headland

Judging for Best 1800, Best 1500, Best Classic and Best Three Wheeler GoldWing will be done by a VIP guest assisted by guest motorcycling experts. Marks for being well cared for in addition to well dressed!

5pm-7.30pm: Evening Meal in Pontin's Restaurant

Eat as much as you like from the Buffet. Three courses and beverages. Healthy options too.

6pm: Parade Muster Area opens for the Light Parade at the Cenotaph, North Pier.

Heading north along the Prom, turn across the tram tracks just past North Pier, where you will see Marshals in HiViz Coats. Bikes must be Registered to get in through the Gates, so if you haven't Registered at Pontin's or at St Chads to get your yellow sticker, please arrive early in order to do so at the Cenotaph.

7.30pm: Promenade Illuminations are switched on and access to the Mustering Area closes

So get there by 7.30pm at the very latest!

7.45pm approx: GoldWing Light Parade moves off!

Departure is from the north side of the Metropole Hotel across the tram tracks and back onto the Promenade, turning north towards the Gynn Square roundabout. The Departure Area route will be marked with cones and traffic will have been cleared ahead of the Parade to allow it to make a smooth start. There should be room to ride two abreast all the way in a staggered formation. No overtaking unless bikes are broken down.

The Marshalling Plan aims to block all side roads ahead of the Parade, have all the traffic lights set to green and clear at least one traffic lane ahead of the Parade so that it can keep moving steadily at about 10mph. Enjoy the parade and take notice of Police and Marshals. No Marshals will overtake the Parade although Police Riders may do – in which case they will use their blue lights. Stay sharp and have a great time.

The Rotary Clubs wil be collecting for charity for us from the public along the cebtral section of the Parade Route – we hope to raise a lot of money fom the public for charity this weekend.

The parade will get back to Pontin's at 8.30pm or shortly after that. Please don't clog up the Pontin's entrance by stopping just inside! Please keep going and park your bike up for the night near your chalet straight away. Non-residents of Pontin’s who enter with the returning Parade may park outside the Stardust Lounge or in the Car Park nearby for the duration f their stay. If you have a yellow sticker on your bike you are welcome to use the Stardust Lounge and enjoy the evening’s entertainment!

8.30pm-late: Saturday Night Party, Entertainment and Awards Ceremony, Stardust Lounge

Wind down after the Parade at the Bar and enjoy the evening’s entertainment in the Stardust Lounge. Lots of bar staff will be on hand to cope with the returning rush and then we can all look forward to a second evening of good company, awards, a raffle for biking and other prizes and entertainment by a top quality Tribute Band followed by a Disco until late.

6pm-late: Queen Victoria Pub open, with Games Room next door

The Pub is also open to us throughout the weekend. Children are not allowed in the Pub after 11pm.

9pm-late: Chip Shop and Burger Bar for calorie top-ups.

Next to the Queen Vic Pub.

Sunday 21st September 2008

8.30-10.30am: Breakfast in Pontin's Restaurant

Sample Pontin's extensive offerings - all you can eat! Healthy options too.

10am: Check Out Time for Sunday Departures

Please Vacate your chalet by 10am if you are leaving today. You are of course welcome to stay at Pontin’s for the day to enjoy the rest of the programme, but they do need you to vacate your chalet on time for housekeeping purposes. Please return your chalet key to Pontin’s Reception near the main Gate. Your bike’s yellow sticker will still get you in and out of Pontin’s.

10am-5pm: Bikers on the Prom – Day 2 at St Chads

Another All-Day Public Static Display and Biking Exhibition on the Prom, but this time open to all Bikers who want to come to Blackpool for a day out. This part of the event has been widely publicised to bikers all over the North West to show what GoldWingers can lay on. These bikers will also pay for Event Registration as they arrive at St Chads. This will be a repeat of the Saturday Display and will again include exhibitions by Blackpool Honda (with HondaUK's big Exhibition Truck), BMF, MAG, IAM and other biking and safety organisations.

There will also be a Riding Arena, in which demonstrations of skilled riding will take place by the Drill Team and Lancashire Constabulary. Wingers are also welcome to display at St Chads again today and your yellow sticker will get you in without additional charge - but don’t forget there is a full programme for Wingers at Pontin’s today too!

If you want to mix with to meet other bikers from all over the North West, St Chads will be worth a visit.

Blackpool and Preston North Rotary Clubs will be collecting from the public for charity again at St Chads.

10am-6pm: Ladies' Pamper Zone

Hairdressing, manicure, aromatherapy; in a block of four chalets to the right of the Dunes Conference Centre.

10.30am-2pm: Ride Out to Rivington Barn

Depart from outside the Stardust Lounge at 10.30am prompt. Rivington Barn is one of the NW's most popular biker meeting places - through some decent countryside. Return to Pontin's about 2pm.

9am-5pm: Display Lighting Sales and Workshop, Stardust Two

Last chance to buy display lighting and wiring and other accessories and get advice and help to fit them to your bike. Maybe too late for this year's Parade but no time like now to start planning for next year!

11am-5pm: Ladies Fashion Show and Craft Fair, Dunes Conference Centre

Fashion, crafts and gift retailing and a proper Fashion Show too! Coffee facilities and also somewhere for the Ladies to sit and chat in comfort and peace. Principally for ladies but brave men can risk entering too. Children must be accompanied and quietly behaved; this is primarily Ladies' territory!

10.30am-12.30pm and 1.30-3.30pm: Technical Biking Talks in the Training Centre

A series of presentations and technical workshops conducted by technical experts. Avon Tyres will be teaching us about tyre technology and how to choose tyres for motorcycles, while HondaUK's Technical Training Team will conduct talks and practical demonstrations.

1-5pm: Ride Out to Devil's Bridge

Departing from outside the Stardust Lounge at 1pm prompt: A Ride Out to Devil's Bridge, another of the NW's most popular biker meeting places - also riding through some smashing countryside. Return to Pontin's about 5pm.

5pm-7.30pm: Evening Meal in Pontin's Restaurant

Eat as much as you like from the Buffet. Three courses and beverages. Healthy options too.

8.30pm-late: Sunday Night Entertainment, Stardust Lounge

Wind up again for a fabulous final evening of entertainment, including a special private showing of “Misty”, a spectacular tribute of music and dance to Moulin Rouge, by Pontin’s own Bluecoat Entertainers. This will be one of the highlights of the weekend's entertainment programme and well worth stopping for. We can look forward to a third evening of good company, another raffle for spectacular biking prizes and, above all, some really good quality professional entertainment.

6pm-late: Queen Victoria Pub open, with Games Room next door

There will be more entertainment in the Pub too, probably a comedian. Children are not allowed in the Pub after 11pm.

9pm-late: Chip Shop and Burger Bar for calorie top-ups.

Next to the Queen Vic Pub.

Monday 22nd September 2008

10am: latest time for Check Out

Vacate your chalet by 10am if you are leaving today. Thank you and goodbye, have a safe journey home. Please help us to plan for next year’s Event by completing the questionnaire included in your Registration Pack and drop it off at Pontin's Reception or at the gate as you leave.

But remember that adults (only) are welcome to stay on for another night or two for a bargain price if they wish - use Pontin's as a touring base to sample more of the delights of Blackpool. Also Lancashire's and Yorkshire's fabulous biking roads - and of course the Lake District.

8.30-10.30am: Breakfast in Pontin's Restaurant

You know how good it is by now!

10am: All Day Ride Out to the Lake District

For those who are staying on another night, and maybe those who haven't far to go or are heading North, we have added an all-day guided Ride Out through the North Lancashire Moors into the Lake District and back. The Drill Team will probably join this Ride Out, so you will have some unusual biking company. Departs from outside the Stardust lounge at 9.30am prompt and finish at a watering hole near Junction 31 of the M6 at about 4pm.