A Walthamstow couple inspired by their sensory needs daughter are expanding their family-friendly fireworks event this November.
The Stow Firework Spectacular, hosted at Walthamstow Cricket Club, includes a low-noise display designed specifically for young children and those with additional requirements, alongside its full-effects display.
Married organisers Fleur and Elliott Silk, who have three children, opted to include both displays to ensure the event was accessible for the whole family, having struggled to find other suitable offerings.
Fleur, 33, said: “There was a time when we were like, ‘there’s not a display near us that we can take all our kids to’.”
This year marks the event’s seventh iteration and an extra night has been added to meet demand, running for three nights between Wednesday 5 November and Saturday 8 November.
Among the other entertainment options are a fire performer and a funfair, and Saturday’s tickets are already sold out.
The idea came from an annual band night held at the cricket club, before Fleur and Elliott sensed an opportunity for growth.
Fleur said: “One year we said ‘oh, maybe we should have some fireworks or something.’ And it’s just evolved ever since.”
As a result of the event’s diversity, their main audience tends to be families.
This year’s showings take place on Wednesday 5, Friday 7 and Saturday 8 November, with gates opening at 4pm.
The fire performer, described by Fleur as ‘pretty cool’, features four times throughout the evening at 4.30pm, 5.30pm, 6.30pm and 7.30pm.
The low-noise display, also held at a lower height, begins at 6pm, with the full-effects display following at 8pm.
Elsewhere, there’s the funfair and games and toys for the children to enjoy, with food stalls and a licensed bar for the adults.
With less than a month until the event, it’s a hectic period for the organisers.
Fleur said: “It’s all systems go for us now at this point. Every night it’s just fireworks.”
Tickets for the event are fast selling out on the website, with none available to buy on the gate.
Visitors are encouraged to arrive on foot where possible, with no on-site parking provided.
Wood Street is the nearest bus and train station, just a three-minute walk away, with Walthamstow Central the closest tube stop.
For further information, visit www.stowfireworkspectacular.co.uk.
Featured image credit: Stow Firework Spectacular
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