Southport Pier celebrates its 150th birthday with day of celebrations next Monday (August 2)

Jul 28 2010 by Andrew Brown, Formby Times

Southport Pier celebrates its 150th birthday with day of celebrations next Monday (August 2)

A SPECIAL celebration will take place on Monday (August 2), to mark the 150th anniversary of Southport Pier – and everyone in Formby is invited!

Family fun including face painting, magic shows, balloon making and party games will take place on the historic attraction between 11am and 4pm.

There will also be live music in the Pier Pavilion – and the popular Pier Tram will be free to visitors throughout the day.

The event has been funded by the Southport Pier Trust, Silcock Leisure and Southport Watersports, and will recognise the importance of the Victorian structure in the growth and success of Southport.

Opened on August 2, 1860, the pier is the oldest iron pier in the country and the second longest at 3,650ft.

Record-breaking crowds have visited the attraction since it was restored and re-opened in 2003 – including 300,000 in its first year.

A Sefton Council spokesman said: “Southport Pier is still hugely popular in the 21st century and we are very proud that it plays an important part in the popularity of resort.