Walsall's name is up in lights from next weekend with the switch on for the annual Illuminations. Walsall Arboretum will be filled with thousands of lights for the seven week electrical extravaganza filled with scenes, stories and laser shows. The event kicks off with a sparkling Opening Ceremony next Saturday with a carnival atmosphere of music, dance and pyrotechnics and the official switch on at 7.45pm. Each year Walsall Illuminations aims to be bigger and better and new for this year are lots of new scenes. Catch up on Postman Pat and Jess the Cat's new adventures, see the Berverly Hills teenagers Clover, Alex and Sam in their secret agent guise in Totally Spies and travel the world with a host of colourful carnivals. There is magic in the air with Wizard's World - a new scene with a laser show and an avenue of weird wizards, flighty fairies and ghastly goblins. The bandstand will play host to its own magic show with Merlin - a Wizard's Tale being run at regular intervals every night. Based on the Arthurian legends, the show features mystical Merlin, the evil Mordred and the young King Arthur. The show is put together by Katch 22 - the group behind hit comedy Go and Play Up Your Own End. There are also a host of themed nights featuring visits by children's characters including Bart Simpson, Sylvester and Tweety and Postman Pat. And the whole event ends with a grand Fireworks Finale on October 30 and 31 with displays which look set to light up the night sky. * SPECIAL EVENTS: Sept 18 - Opening Night Celebration; Oct 1 - Personal appearance from Bart Simpson; Oct 8 - Visits from Sylvester and Tweety; Oct 14 - Brazilian Night; Oct 20 - Caribbean Carnival Night; Oct 24 --See Postman Pat and Jess the Cat; Oct 25-29 - Half Term Hocus Pocus; Oct 30-31 - Fireworks Finale * Walsall Illuminations is every evening from Sept 18 to Oct 31. * Gates open: Sept 18-30: 7.30pm; Oct 1-22: 7pm; Oct 23-31: 6.30pm * Advance tickets cost £4.50 for adults, £3 for children aged 4-15, under fours are free and there are concessions and family tickets. * Gate sales cost £1 more. * Park and ride is available on Broadway North and will be signposted * Tickets are available from a range of outlets or call the bookings hotline on 01922 653183. * For more information and bookings click on www.walsall-lights.com | 
