The 2014 Europe's Tribute to Elvis Contest and Festival will be held at the wonderful Winter Gardens, Blackpool (view map).
This is an event not to be missed! OUR FESTIVAL AND ULTIMATE ELVIS PRELIMINARY CONTEST IS SANCTIONED BY ELVIS PRESLEY ENTERPRISES.
The Empress Ballroom
With its spectacular barrel-vaulted ceiling, sparkling chandeliers, pristine parquet flooring and ornate balconies, the Empress Ballroom is a quite staggering venue. Built in 1896, the Empress Ballroom has hosted everything from political party conferences to pop concerts.
About the Winter Gardens, Blackpool
Blackpool's Winter Gardens first opened to the public on 11 July 1878, with a lavish ceremony attended by the Lord Mayor of London and Mayors and Mayoresses from 68 towns throughout the country. Its aspirations as a venue since then have continued to mirror the development of Blackpool as a seaside resort, which expanded as part of the late Nineteenth and early Twentieth century boom in leisure time. From the 1860s onwards, the appetite for a wide range of entertainment grew in the resort and The Winter Gardens developed as an entertainment complex and adapted to cope with a disparate range of visitors.
The scale and sheer architectural richness of The Winter Gardens provided a vibrant theatrical and entertainment experience for both the audience and the performers. Over the years, holiday-makers enjoyed concert parties, exhibitors, ballroom dancing and international stars of stage, screen and radio. The scope and ambition of The Gardens as an entertainment complex was always national if not international in ambition, with the casts of thousands who have trodden its boards over the past century reading as a roll call in performance history.
Blackpool is a town buzzing with excitement, attracting over 6 million people each year. Visit the renowned Blackpool Pleasure Beach. Stroll along the sandy beaches and explore the three piers, or venture to the top of Blackpool Tower.
How to find the Winter Gardens (view map)
By Car
From the M55 exit at junction 4, follow A583 into central Blackpool or for sat nav - postcode FY1 1HW.
Central Blackpool does have one-way systems and pedestrianised areas. You may wish to use one of the large, well sign-posted tourist car-parks close to the Promenade or there are 2 car-parks closer to the Winter Gardens.
A multi-storey facility is available within the Houndshill Shopping Centre. This is approx 150m from the Coronation Street entrance (lift access to the main areas of the Winter Gardens building) or approx. 300m from the Church Street entrance (ground level access to the main building) - the postcode of this car-park is FY1 4NY. This is a pay-on-return car-park.
Open air, ground level parking is also available on the corner of Adelaide Street and Alfred Street approx 200m from the Church Street entrance - the postcode of this car-park is FY1 4LA. This is a pay-&-display car-park.
By train
Blackpool North Station is approximately 10 minutes walk from the Winter Gardens.
By plane
Blackpool International Airport is linked to many UK and European destinations - a taxi from the airport will take approximately 20 minutes.
Blackpool International Airport is 15 minutes away and Blackpool North Train station 5 minutes away. Onsite Car parking at The Hilton is £3.00 per 24 hours.