Woodbridge Festival Eco Fish Friendly Fireworks

Saturday 9 November Fish Friendly Fireworks 2024 at Whisstocks Place, Tide Mill Way, Woodbridge, Suffolk IP12 1BY.

5.30-8pm. FREE ENTRY.

Woodbridge Festival of Art and Music is presenting the fourth annual Fish Friendly Fireworks projections on the historic 700 year old Tide Mill on the banks of the River Deben from 5:30pm on Saturday 9 November.

The popular annual event returns with music and visuals by Ben Osborne and Girl In A T-Shirt, plus over 350 artworks submitted by international artists, arts clubs, art students and all local schools.

The event features a firework themed AV show, along with food and bars by Korean Kitchen, The Boathouse, Woodyard Pizza, Hopsters, Coffee Mod and Mr Bees Brewery, offering craft beers, mulled wine and cider and a range of food.

This year’s Art Open Call has received over 350 Artworks submitted by internationally recognised artists, Chelsea Arts Club, Print Club London, Woodbridge Art Club, Suffolk New College and all local schools in Woodbridge.

As well as announcing this year’s event, Woodbridge festival is delighted to announce Fish Friendly Fireworks has been selected to take part in the Co-Op Local Community Fund in 2025. Participants in the Fund are selected in a vote by the Co-Op's national membership. As well as offering funding for next year's events, being part of the Co-Op's programme will give Woodbridge Festival a national platform for the next two years.

Fish Friendly Fireworks and festival founder Ben Osborne says: "We started this event because there was a strong local desire to repeat the fireworks event held in 2012 by the river. As an environmentally aware arts festival we wanted to do something that was new and was less environmentally damaging, was friendlier to animals (and fish), was inclusive and had opportunities for artistic input; while still honouring a traditional community celebration. We were also aware that traditional fireworks next to the Tide Mill, a four story historic building made entirely from wood, was not a good idea.

"We've been delighted by the way the event has opened-up the celebrations to people. It doesn't replace fireworks - there are many traditional events locally. But it offers an alternative that hopefully keeps the community spirit and fun of traditional events."

Woodbridge Festival of Arts and Music Chairperson and artist, Alice Stallard, says: "Getting recognition from Co-Op members nationally means a lot to us. Having a national and regional platform for two years is a great boost for Fish Friendly Fireworks and Woodbridge Festival. And we're delighted to be working with the schools in Woodbridge and surrounding areas, and students at Suffolk New College. We're looking forward to our events in 2025 and 2026 expanding even more."

This year's Fish Friendly Fireworks are being generously supported by Suffolk County Councillor Ruth Leach. And, as well as recognition in the Co-Op’s Local Community Fund, Woodbridge Festival’s pioneering Fish Friendly Fireworks event have previously been shortlisted for East Suffolk Council Green Impact Award and BBC Radio Suffolk Make a Difference Awards. Suffolk Building Society is continuing to help the Festival's year round activities and community outreach.