Bikes to light up seafront
Scarborough’s Goldwing Light Parade will finally make an eagerly-anticipated return for the first time in three years to illuminate the seafront after Covid-enforced cancellations.
New organisers, who will take charge of the event for the first time this year, say they are“thrilled”thattheparadeis returning to the town – which has not been held since 2019.
Danielle Reed, the parade’s organiser, said: “Now that the event is only a week away I am reallyexcitedtoseeallmyhard workcometogetherandhopefully succeed in putting on a display that both the riders and general public will thoroughly enjoy, especially after missing the last two years due to the Covid."
The parade, which began in 2008, was previously organised by John Bates who has since retired.
The Goldwing Light Parade, held every September, is a staple event on the Scarborough calendar. Illuminated Honda Gold Wing bikes parade along the seafront with music and riders wearing fancy dress.
The display and parade were cancelled in 2020 and 2021 because of Covid restrictions; the last event to run in 2019 raised a record £11,200 for the Yorkshire Air Ambulance.
Ms Reed, who is a registered volunteer of the Yorkshire Air Ambulance said she did not want to see the parade come to a complete end as“it is loved by both the people who take part and spectators alike” and so she agreed to take on the role of organiser.
“We are looking forward to welcoming guests from far and wide,” she added.
The event is free but donations are welcome and all proceeds will go to Yorkshire Air Ambulance, with previous paradesattracting more than 100
participants from across the UK and abroad.
New for this year, a special ‘Friday Night Light Show’ will take place on September 9 for Gold Wing riders arrivingearly outside Ask Italian on Sand side. Riders are instructedto arrive at 7 pm for a 7.30 pm start with judging taking place for the best-decorated bikes.
Ahead of the parade, motorbikes and trikes will line the South Bay near the lifeboat station between 10am and 4pm, with the event starting promptly at 8pm on Saturday September 10.
After the parade, a fireworks display finale will take place in the South Bay, opposite the former Futurist Theatre site, at 9.30pm.