Blink Margate.

Location: Margate Beach, Kent, England.

A town close to my home some of you may feel cheated. After all, it's not a exotic location or an attraction like Alton Towers. But, I believe in promoting local towns in hope to create interest in our once busy seaside area.

Margate has long been in disarray. The Scenic railway, the oldest wooden roller coaster of Dreamland still stands in two parts. Gaps remain along the sea front from buildings that have failed to been replaced. The old cinema, once decadent and popular is surrounded by scaffolding. Not to mention the town center itself, with boarded up shops caused by Britain's recession. But last night none of that seemed to matter. Margate was back from the past. Dreamland car park was full. Crowds filled the beach, the pavements and the bars, all anticipating the nights gift to the town.

Dancers, firework displays, music and lights filled the star lit night. It was a glimpse of hope for Margate, a hope that with the right funding and events the rejuvenation of the town is possible.  The Turner Center and the many art galleries that continue to come into the town are great, but not enough. Dreamland needs to re-open, buildings need to be re-built and the town needs shops that will be of interest to visitors. But, most importantly, they need events like this. Events that pulls locals and tourists alike, events that create good memories of Margate, events that make people want to visit again. Blink Margate was an example to follow, a spectacular that used that beautiful beach to its advantage.

However, any stage performances on the beach in the future needs to be higher, as it is very hard to see through the crowds. Also, the car park at the end of the event was unorganised and took ten minutes to get into the queue.Then once on the road there was more traffic. An event of that size needs better traffic and car park control to make the evening less stressful.  

However, there is hope for the Isle of Thanet yet! Our old traditional Broadstairs known for its connection with writer Charles Dickens; historic Ramsgate harbour; Ramsgate WWII tunnels hopefully opening as a heritage site and venue and WWII museums in Manston. All we need is to bring back Margate to it's former glory, and we could be an English tourist destination to be rivaled with.