Red Arrows fly low over the River Derwent
THE Red Arrows are lighting up Matlock Bath...along with Thomas the Tank Engine, vintage cars, a First World War tank and a tribute to the Dambusters.
They are some of the decorated boats taking part in this year’s Matlock Bath Illuminations, which returned for another year on Saturday.
Thousands turned out for the launch as illuminated boats floated down the River Derwent for the 121st year of the event.
The illuminations will continue on every Saturday and Sunday until October 28 – and Derbyshire residents are being encouraged to come down to see the light show.
Prizes are presented to the boat-builders and this year the Bill Beresford Memorial Shield went to Ashbourne’s Michael Hall, who built the Red Arrows model.
A spokesman for the event said: “Matlock Bath Illuminations is a fun-packed family event featuring a spectacular parade of illuminated and decorated boats.
“There are fantastic firework displays on Saturday evenings, which light up the skies around Matlock Bath in multi colours. The firework displays begin at 9pm with the best viewing positions being in the Bandstand area of Derwent Gardens.”
During the eight-week season, Matlock Bath Venetian Boat Builders’ Association row the decorated boats along the Derwent each Saturday at 7.45pm and 9.15pm in September and from around 7pm in October from the Derwent Gardens. Tickets cost £6 on Saturdays (£5 concessions) and £5 on Sundays (£4 concessions) if bought online in advance – apart from the final Sunday (October 28) when Saturday prices apply. Accompanied under-16s are free, with concessions for OAPS.