By Sam Hawcroft
Withernsea’s biggest summer celebration returns this weekend, as Blue Light Weekend prepares to welcome thousands of visitors for two packed days of family entertainment, air displays, live music and hands-on activities celebrating the work of the emergency services, armed forces and veterans.
Now in its third year, the event is the most ambitious yet, taking place on Saturday, August 2, and Sunday, August 3. The seafront will be transformed into a vibrant festival site stretching from Seacroft Road to Valley Gardens, with a host of attractions and entertainment for all ages.
Saturday’s programme includes the ever-popular Colour Run, with new twists added for 2025. About 600 people are expected to take part in the run (though, of course, organisers stress that participants can run, walk, wheel or even dance), which sets off at 4pm following a musical parade to the start line led by Hull Samba. The route will feature Water Cannon Corner, Custard Pie Corner and a chaotic Foam Finish – as well as powder stations sponsored by local businesses and groups, who will be out in force cheering on the runners.
Colour Run participants who registered online are reminded that they must collect their race numbers and any pre-ordered T-shirts or medals from the Blue Light Weekend sales trailer, located near the RNLI station, no later than 3pm on the Saturday. Those arriving late risk missing out, as the organisers reserve the right to refuse entry after that time in order to keep the event running smoothly.
One of the major new additions to this year’s Blue Light Weekend is the Military Village, situated at the south end of the event site on the green at the top of Seacroft Road. The village will showcase vintage military vehicles and history displays, with themed stalls and information stands aimed at educating and engaging visitors. The Star Tent will host live 1940s-style entertainment on the Saturday, including a headline appearance by a trio from Britain’s Got Talent finalists the D-Day Darlings.
Another major addition – and a rare spectacle for an event of this kind – will take place during Sunday afternoon’s air show finale. For the first time, Withernsea will witness a Second World War dogfight re-enactment between two iconic warbirds: the Hawker Hurricane and Messerschmitt. This thrilling display promises to be a memorable highlight, offering a unique opportunity to see the historic aircraft in action against the backdrop of the North Sea.
The air show, which begins in the early afternoon, will also feature a variety of stunning aerial displays throughout the day, including vintage aircraft such as the Tiger Moth, Ryan, Boeing Stearman and the 70-year-old Bell 47 helicopter, as well as the daredevil aerobatics of the Starlings duo and the union flag-liveried Jubilee Pitts biplane.
Another new addition for 2025 is the kite festival and kite-making workshops in Memorial Gardens on Saturday, where families can get creative before watching their designs take to the skies. On the promenade, circus performers will entertain the crowds across both days with walkabout acts and drop-in workshops.
On Sunday morning, Valley Gardens will host the World Mascot Championship in its new home, with street band Bandanarama leading a lively musical parade before the mascots battle it out for charity.
Another first for this year is the live music stage in the Italian Gardens, offering a dedicated space for local performers throughout the weekend – a step up from the trailer stage used on the promenade in previous years.
The organisers are once again urging people to plan ahead and use designated parking where possible. One of the main options is the Station Road car park, which offers easy walking access to the event site and will be open throughout the weekend. Last year, according to council feedback, this car park was underused, while a number of parking tickets were handed out over the weekend – so organisers are urging people to avoid parking on residential streets if they can.
The town council car park in Pier Road is also an option but potentially far busier because of its proximity to the seafront. Visitors are also reminded that the small car park at the bottom of Lee Avenue is closed for stallholder parking.
Visitors are also encouraged to use public transport, with Withernsea served by East Yorkshire buses on the 75 and X7 routes, offering regular connections from Hull and surrounding areas.
Event programmes will be available to pick up across the weekend and are also on sale now at various outlets across Withernsea. These include the Gazette office, Inspired, the Rosy Leaf, Ellis’ Café and Seasiders, Willows Bar and Kitchen, the Golden Haddock, Southcliff Fisheries, Holderness Hardware, Tesco, Withernsea Leisure Centre, Castle Café, Shores Pantry and The Original Factory Shop. Each programme includes a full event schedule, site map and key information to help visitors navigate the weekend and make the most of their visit.
Another fun feature returning for 2025 is the official Blue Light Weekend beer mat raffle. Beer mats will be available to buy for £1 from the Blue Light Weekend sales trailer across the weekend. To enter, simply write your name and phone number on the back of the mat and hand it in at the trailer. You can also enter online up to Saturday night.
The draw will take place on Sunday afternoon on the beach, with the winners drawn by the Blue Light Weekend’s lighthouse mascot, which those who attended the fundraising gigs at the Willows in recent weeks will already be familiar with…
The top prize in the beer mat raffle is a flight in a vintage Boeing Stearman biplane – known as the Yorkshire Yankee – kindly donated by the Breighton-based attraction. Other prizes include a NAAFI goodie bag worth more than £50, Sunday lunch for two at the Northfield, £25 of Hull City merchandise, a Beasley’s goodie bag, and vouchers for Bengal Lancer, Hollym Escape Rooms and Just a Trim.
Blue Light Weekend merchandise is also proving popular, with branded tote bags, hats, caps, earrings, key rings, badges and fridge magnets available to purchase online in advance or from the sales trailer during the weekend.
The event is organised entirely by volunteers, with support from emergency service representatives, local businesses and community groups. About 40 local volunteers, as well as a cohort from HEY! Volunteering, will be helping over the course of the weekend – from staffing powder stations to handing out programmes, managing information points and being friendly, welcoming faces to visitors.
Event co-director Andy Medcalf said: “We’re hugely grateful to all of our sponsors, large and small. Every single one makes a difference and helps us keep this event free to attend. It costs several thousand pounds to stage something on this scale, and the support from the community and businesses is what makes it possible.
“We’d also encourage people to donate to the official collection points over the weekend, including our distinctive ‘Tardis’! Every penny goes directly to our chosen charities supporting lifesaving work and veterans.”
Organisers have worked closely with Withernsea Town Council, East Riding Council, local police and other authorities to ensure the weekend runs safely and smoothly, with extra public toilets and first aid stations in place.
Blue Light Weekend is designed to be inclusive, educational and uplifting – an opportunity to say thank you to those who serve, to learn about lifesaving work and to come together as a community – all while putting the town on the map, which was the original vision of Steve Medcalf, who first dreamt up the idea of Blue Light Weekend.
With excitement building across the region, Withernsea is ready to welcome the crowds for what promises to be a spectacular weekend.
Further updates and any last-minute announcements will be available via the Blue Light Weekend website and social media.