*Disclaimer: this was written in the style of a live updates page, for the purposes of a journalism assignment*
– Written on the 2nd Nov –
A fireworks celebration will be held in Lincoln this evening with street food, performers, DJs and a funfair-style carnival.
The Lincolnshire Showground will be hosting the Autumn Lights for its fourth year. Over 7000 people are expected to attend the family-friendly event.
DJ and presenter Ryan Swain will be performing as well as presenting the event’s many performances.
Events:
4.00pm: a welcome and DJ show.
5.50pm: fire dancers and performers.
6.00pm: “spark drummers” performance.
6.40pm: Phats & Small band performance.
7.40pm: children’s fireworks show.
8.00pm: party band performance.
9.00pm: the grand finale fireworks show.
Stay tuned for live updates.
4.00pm
The last natural light of the day leaves the Lincolnshire Showground as the sun sets. It’s cold – around 11 degrees Celsius – but this will get more severe as the night goes on.
Over 7000 people are here to endure the temperature and enjoy the show.
4.21pm
There are lots of eating options here.
More than 20 food and drink stalls are on the site including a bar, a Cadbury’s hot chocolate stand, street food and sweet vendors.
4.50pm
With another 2 hours and 50 minutes until the first bang, I spoke with the senior firer for today’s show. As the lead pyrotechnic, Rick Rawson’s job is ensuring all the fireworks go off safely and smoothly.
The 37-year-old said: “We fire electronically over 800 individual firing points with 60 shots to 120 shots [each], so it’s hell of a lot.”
For context, a shot is an individual effect, or firework. With 800 individual firing points with an average of 90 shots each, that is 72,000 fireworks altogether!
5.12pm
DJ and presenter Ryan Swain is calling people to the main stage area, where he will be unveiling a challenge for the audience.
This will be for a “dance-off,” with the winner pressing the button to begin the next fireworks display taking place at 7.40pm.
5.31pm
The winner has been crowned by Ryan. “Matty” was chosen for his unexpected splits move.
However, he gave his prize to a fellow competitor’s daughter, Esme from Lincoln.
She will be on the main stage to push the button later, setting the fireworks for the first display.
5.44pm
Light performers on stilts will be taking pictures with the audience throughout the night.
Their costumes vary but are all very colourful and bright.
5.50pm
Light dancers have begun performing to music from the Greatest Showman. With only four individuals on the stage, it is not anything like the Hugh Jackman musical.
Still, families and friends are enjoying it, with visible smiles all around.
5.54pm
Did you know? Fireworks originated in China over 2000 years ago.
For more facts, see: BBC Radio 4: Eight fizzling facts about fireworks
5.55pm
The haunting presence of the spark drummers is now here.
With their unchanging expressions and near-tribal beat, they present a different vibe to the other performances.
6.11pm
The audience is waiting for the next event, as I am waiting for Ryan Swain to speak with me about the Autumn Lights.
The 7000-strong crowd is a sea of heads from the stage, which is where I will be interviewing Ryan.
6.17pm
Ryan Swain introduces himself as a DJ, entertainer, actor, professional skateboarder and “potentially the most famous person you’ve never heard of”. He is presenting this evening. He agrees to speak with me on the main stage area.
He said that his highlight of the event is “to see the crowd, the look on their faces, not just with fireworks but with the music as well.”
“It’s to try and engage with them, get them involved, make them feel like the stars of the show, which they are. Because without the audience, we wouldn’t have a show.”
He said that every year, the shows get “bigger and better.”
6.21pm
Also on the stage is Jason Phats, 54, from the electronic band Phats and Small. He tells me the band have done “around 80 gigs” since March but will be wrapping up for the Christmas period.
He also tells me there is new material coming out next year, pending negotiations that he “can’t really talk about.” He also tells me what it means for him to perform in Lincoln tonight.
Phats and Small’s music can be found on www.phattsandsmall.co.uk
6.50pm
Vocalist Ben Ofoedu is on the stage, performing alongside Jason.
7.00pm
Fireworks are composed of many materials, but only a few give them their colour. Here is an infographic explaining what elements are responsible for the colour of a firework.
7.35pm
The crowd for Phats and Small is massive, with most attendees taking their loved ones to hear the music of the electronic duo. The music is a wide range of party house music, appropriate for all ages.
7.57pm
The first firework goes off! The children’s fireworks show gives younger audiences the opportunity to see fireworks during a more sensible time of the night.
8.09pm
Another “fire performance” takes place in the food vendor area, as handmade pizza is stone-baked. The variety of entertainment, games and food is massive here. Although the event does not cover the entirety of the Lincolnshire Showground’s large area, it has plenty to keep everyone occupied – and full.
8.51pm
Next up is the Party Band with a four-piece wind instrument set as well as guitars and vocals. They are performing well-known songs by artists such as Dolly Parton and Freddie Mercury. They are also running over their schedule time.
9.21pm
21 minutes after its official schedule, the final fireworks display is taking off to an explosive start, with music-synchronised explosions of light. Although on a much smaller scale, there are similarities to be drawn with London’s New Year’s Countdown. Throughout the event, the music choice was a wide mix of well-known tunes from the past, and popular tunes from the present. This display is no different, with multi-era songs being played through the several-minute long show.
9.27pm
That’s all, folks! With the final fireworks fizzled out, people are making their way home after a colourful day at the Autumn Lights event. The presenters, performers and journalists on location wave goodbye to you all.
Kara Joubert: Writer, Journalist & Filmmaker 
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