From noon on Tuesday, May 8, people can apply for 8,000 free tickets for the Olympic torch relay evening celebration at Meridian Park Showground, Cleethorpes.
A ballot system of allocating tickets for the evening event on Tuesday, June 26, will enable thousands of people in North East Lincolnshire to enjoy a variety of entertainment staged by LOCOG and the three Presenting Partners of the London 2012 Olympic Torch Relay - Coca-Cola, Lloyds TSB and Samsung - with support from North East Lincolnshire Council.
To enter the ballot an online form must be completed. Only one form can be completed per household, but each household can apply for up to six tickets. After the tickets have been allocated fairly through the ballot system, successful applicants will be contacted directly regarding ticket collection details.
For people without access to a computer, North East Lincolnshire’s libraries will be able to help people through the online application process.
North East Lincolnshire Council will present two, ten-minute slots of locally-programmed entertainment during the evening celebration. This will include a community street dance performance to open the event and a showcase of music from the East Coast Elite Brass and Percussion Corps and the Gyko Community Taiko Group who will play after the Olympic Flame has arrived on stage. The East Coast Elite Brass & Percussion Corps will also welcome the Olympic Flame at the Showground with a specially commissioned fanfare.
The three Presenting Partners will also each provide 20 minutes of exciting and stimulating entertainment for the event. This will include Coca-Cola showcasing exciting up-and-coming live music acts, Lloyds TSB bringing stunning acrobatic performances to the site and Samsung staging dance performances.
Prior to and during the show, the audience will have the opportunity to participate in a number of activities courtesy of Coca-Cola, Lloyds TSB and Samsung. These include having your photograph taken with the London 2012 Torch and other Olympic-related activities.
Towards the end of the two-hour show, the last Torchbearer of the day in North East Lincolnshire will light a celebration cauldron on stage at the event which will enable the Olympic Flame to be seen by the audience.
Cllr Burnett, portfolio holder for health, wellbeing, tourism and leisure, said: “As demand is expected to be high for the evening celebration event, we felt the fairest way would be to allocate tickets using a ballot system, similar to how many tickets for the national Olympic sporting events have been organised.
“We are working closely with LOCOG on the arrangements for the evening event and are following established London 2012 procedures by operating a ballot system for the allocation of tickets.
“Meridian Park Showground in Cleethorpes will welcome 8,000 spectators. It will be a wonderful opportunity to be at the heart of the celebrations in North East Lincolnshire, to continue the celebrations following the torch’s relay through Immingham, Grimsby and Cleethorpes.
“There are 8,000 torchbearers in total carrying the Olympic flame on its journey through the UK, so it’s fitting that we will also open the doors to 8,000 spectators who will be able to enjoy our own Olympic event.”
Seb Coe, Chair of LOCOG said: “The evening celebrations give the whole family a chance to share the excitement of the Olympic Games as we countdown to the Opening Ceremony.
“The event in Cleethorpes is set for an exciting line-up, including performances from talented local people who will give each celebration a distinct feel. I am looking forward to the series of 66 evening celebrations showing how diverse the UK’s cultural life is as the eyes of the world turn our way.”
Apply for tickets online or talk to an officer at any of North East Lincolnshire’s ten libraries.
The gates opens at 4pm, with the event starting at 5pm. The celebrations are expected to conclude at 8.30pm.