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Get ready for Wellington's spectacular annual Pelorus Trust Sky Show fireworks display to make its return tonight at 9pm.

The harbour raft is already in place and ready to light up the harbour to celebrate Guy Fawkes in the Pelorus Trust Wellington Sky Show, with more than 150,000 spectators expected to watch the annual Wellington fireworks display and 30,000 viewing it from the Wellington waterfront.

This year’s Sky Show promises to be bigger, better and brighter than before. It has been expanded from 15 to almost 20 minutes and will be launched from two barges and two boats.

The Council’s Recreation Portfolio Leader, Councillor John Morrison, says there will also be a number of new displays and never-seen-before effects. “Everyone loves a fabulous fireworks show. Robert McDermott, an absolute pyrotechnic genius, is back running the show and we’re extremely excited about the expanded programme this year.”

In 2009 crowds will again be treated to entertaining rides on the waterfront with the Ride Of Your Life Spectacle, the huge fundraising event for Wellington Free Ambulance. Activities started at 6pm and include live music, carnival rides, food stalls and demonstrations from jetboats and thundercats, with proceeds going to the Wellington Free Ambulance. Members of the public can donate a gold coin and enjoyed the spectacular entertainment on the Wellington waterfront in the lead up to the Skyshow.

For sheer spectacle, you can’t go past Wellington’s annual Pelorus Trust Sky Show fireworks display, held on Guy Fawkes night every year. The harbour lights up with giant star bursts, shooting rockets and other pyrotechnic wonders, and if you are near the waterfront you can feel the thunderous boom shake your body.

The 2009 show is the 15th Wellington Sky Show for award-winning international fireworks maestro Robert McDermott. Robert has designed fireworks displays for events such as the 2000 Sydney Olympics closing display from the Sydney Harbour Bridge. Mr McDermott's pyrotechnic efforts feature thousands of star shells, comets, and roman candles, mixed with Asian delights such as Double Red Hearts and 10x10 shot Silver Fish Spit Pearls with Blue Tail.

This fantastic free fireworks display starts at 9pm and runs for 20 minutes to a soundtrack broadcast on Classic Hits 90 FM and 91ZM. For further information, please contact Wellington City Council on 499 4444.

Traffic and spectator information
The best vantage points to view the fireworks are the Waterfront , Frank Kitts Park, Queen's Wharf and Taranaki Street Wharf, Oriental Bay, Waitangi Park and the surrounding hills. Boating spectators looking for a good viewing spot are asked to keep 300m away from the barges, keep their boat speed to a maximum of five knots and ensure they keep sufficient life jackets on board.

People are encouraged to take public transport or walk. People driving into town for the show should leave early, allow plenty of time, and make sure they park their car legally.

Traffic controls will be put in place to avoid snarl-ups and delays for emergency services that have caused problems in recent years.

Traffic moving east away from the CBD on Oriental Parade and Evans Bay Parade will be restricted to one lane and one direction (eastbound, away from the CBD) from 7-10pm so emergency vehicles can access the area quickly if needed.

Evans Bay Parade will be closed to through traffic (access to residents only) at the Cobham Drive intersection from 7-10pm and we will have large numbers of parking wardens on patrol. Any illegally or dangerously parked vehicles will be towed away.

On Mt Victoria, Alexandra Road will be closed at the intersection with Constable Street in Newtown once Council staff have established that the maximum safe parking capacity towards the Mt Victoria summit has been reached. There will also be parking restrictions around the Lookout area, along Alexandra Road and a one-way traffic flow will be in place on the roads around the Lookout area.

Spectators also need to observe the 24-hour liquor ban that applies in the central city area, Oriental Bay and on the Mt Victoria summit. This means people cannot consume or possess liquor in the central Wellington area except in licensed premises.

Please note: The wet weather postponement date is Friday 6 November. Ring 499 4444 or listen to Classic Hits 90FM for postponement details in the case of poor weather.

Check out other events on the Wotzon.com homepage.
Wellington Combined Taxis – Safe, Quick, Clean. Phone 04 384 4444

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