A team of pyrotechnic virtuosos hailing from South Africa have conquered the competition at the World Fireworks Championship Blackpool.



Fireworks for Africa saw off competition from teams from Poland and France with a spectacular display during week three of this year’s championship.

Founded in 1996, Fireworks for Africa has steadily grown with the demand for quality fireworks and pyrotechnics shows from their office in Johannesburg, South Africa.

Travis Yeatman, Technical Director for Fireworks for Africa, travelled overseas to oversee the display last Friday.

The team’s success was announced tonight as UK’s favourite pyrotechnic team, Titanium, put on a spectacular show to close this year’s spectacular competition.

The free annual event is among the most popular features in Blackpool’s exciting calendar, featuring jaw-dropping displays – synched to music – from some of the most talented and technically gifted fireworks engineers in the world, attracting tens of thousands of visitors to the Blackpool’s promenade each week.

Cllr Gillian Campbell, Deputy Leader of Blackpool Council, said: “The championships are a firm favourite in the Blackpool calendar and they have been truly fantastic this year with an exceptionally high standard of display.

“The event is always incredibly popular with residents and visitors with more and more people each year extending their fireworks visit by taking in the Illuminations and LightPool projections.

“Our congratulations go to all the teams who took part, but particularly to the winners, Fireworks for Africa, who did South Africa proud with a superb show.”

The winner was chosen by a panel of local judges including Cllr Gillian Campbell; Peter Sedgewick, owner of Blackpool’s piers; and Cheryl Tchobanian, owner of the Beach House Bar and Bistro who again sponsored the judges area.

The championship might be over, but the Blackpool Illuminations are still shining! Come and trip the Lights fantastic - we recommend walking or hopping on a tram - watch the incredible LightPool displays projected onto the base of the Blackpool Tower, and join us between October 25-27 for the Festival@LightPool to enjoy three evenings of fantastic, light-based entertainment, for FREE! For more information, head over to: visitblackpool.com/illuminations

SAVE THE DATE for next year’s World Fireworks Championship Blackpool – 7, 14, 21 & 28 September 2018.

Picture captions:

Judges presenting Fireworks for Africa with the winning trophy. From left to right: Cheryl Tchobanian, Beach House Bar & Bistro; Martine Hagel, Blackpool Piers; Travis Yeatman, Technical Director for Fireworks for Africa; and Councillor Gillian Campbell, Deputy Leader of Blackpool Council
Fireworks for Africa display from North Pier