A Word From Dave
- By FordDay
- 29 July, 2012
Hi, my name is Dave Eastwood and I am the sole founder and organiser of the Annual Ford Day in Blackpool.
How did it all begin? Well, I have been involved in the classic car scene for well over 30 years with Cortinas, which I use on a daily basis, as well as attending shows throughout the North West of England and beyond. Over the years I had noticed that the Ford only shows were all down the South of England and there was nothing in the North West for the Ford enthusiasts up here and beyond. So during 1997/8, I started to look at all the options in my area. Being born in Blackpool, I thought this would be the ideal place to start. After many searches and meetings, the middle walk was brought to my attention and as I had never done anything on this large scale before it certainly was a learning curve. I must thank the Blackpool Council/Tourism Department for their help and support with this event.
At last after all the hard work my idea for this event was starting to become a reality. I designed the Ford Day logo, entry forms and the plaques which are in the Blackpool Football Club colours and then informed all Ford clubs/owners and the media of this new event and as they say, the rest is history.
The first ever Ford Day took place on Sunday 12th September 1999, with over 200 fords attending. The sun was shining and the middle walk was full of Fords of all marques and years including Escorts, Granadas and Cortinas. The Ford Anglia Owners Club were also celebrated their 40th anniversary at the event and It was a superb sight to see all the Fords on the seafront and still is to this day. The event brings Ford owners and clubs together in Blackpool from all over the country, as well as the public, who come in there thousands to visit this annual event and also see the Blackpool Illuminations and enjoy all the fun that the town has to offer. It really has brought Blackpool to the forefront in the classic car scene. As the years have gone by, interest in the event has grown and 2008 was the ford day’s 10th anniversary with all entrants receiving free sticks of Blackpool Rock, the kids loved it, and I bet the adults did as well.
Enough of the past, what about the future? Well I hope that with the continued support of the Ford owners/clubs and Blackpool council/tourism department, who without there support this event would never have happened (“a big thank you to you all”), it will continue to be a big Ford event in Blackpool for many more years to come.
