The thrilling heritage of fairground, music hall, circus and seaside entertainment will be brought to life in a series of events in Blackpool, thanks to a new partnership between the National Fairground Archive (NFA) at the University of Sheffield, and Blackpool Council.

From circus curiosities and side-shows to brilliant burlesque, the spectacular events will be curated by Director of the National Fairground Archive (NFA) Dr Vanessa Toulmin and have been dubbed 'Admission All Classes'.

The events, which endeavour to include everyone in their appeal, have been made possible following a grant from the Arts and Humanities Research Council's Knowledge Transfer Programme. Professor Toulmin's award came through the AHRC Knowledge Transfer Fellowship scheme. All of the schemes within AHRC's Knowledge Transfer Programme have a strong emphasis on a two-way knowledge transfer process in which high quality research is used to make a difference in a non-academic environment. Through this process researchers gain new insights and material to apply to their own research interests.

This funding will enable the National Fairground Archive and Blackpool Council to share large resources of research and archival material on the history of popular entertainment with a much wider audience than it has before.

The first event, 'Cabinet of Curiosities', will take place on Saturday 28 July and Sunday 29 July 2007. It will see Blackpool's Winter Gardens transformed into a reconstruction of a Victorian museum with sideshows, novelty acts and an exhibition of material from the National Fairground Archive's rich holdings.

Blackpool's Spanish Hall, Baronial Suite and Horseshoe Pavilion and Theatre will host the equivalent of Barnum's American Museum, with highlights including the Girl in the Goldfish Bowl, Madame Electra, The Headless Wonder, first seen on Blackpool's Golden Mile in the 1930s, and a wide range of spellbinding tributes to the world of Edwardian and Victorian performance.

Running from 11am to 6pm at Blackpool's Winter Gardens venue, ticket prices for the weekend's events have been capped at £10 and there will also be a wide range of free street entertainment.

As part of the two day event other venues in Blackpool will host talks on the history of entertainment. Dr Toulmin, the world expert on 19th century shows will present 'Freaks Geeks and Wild Women : An Illustrated Examination of Side Show Entertainment', whilst Cyril Critchlow, the world's oldest magician and author of Blackpool's Golden Mile: An Illustrated History, will provide a first-hand account of presenting shows on the Golden Mile in the 1950s and 1060s.

Other events planned over the next year include: street theatre and entertainment during the Blackpool illuminations; variety, magic and circus shows; events celebrating Blackpool's rich film history; a series of lectures from renowned entertainment professionals and historians; and burlesque and cabaret shows.

Dr Vanessa Toulmin, Director of the NFA at the University of Sheffield, who will curate the events, with top cabaret and burlesque agency the Whoopee Club, said: "I welcome this opportunity to combine heritage, research and entertainment to bring something special to Blackpool over the next eighteen months. The AHRC have given us a great opportunity to revitalise Blackpool's historic entertainment heritage by combining scholarship, live theatre and audience participation - it will be great fun!"

AHRC Chief Executive Philip Esler said "Doctor Toulmin is thoroughly deserving of our support. By ensuring that the knowledge and understanding generated by her research is widely disseminated she, along with Blackpool Council, offers a wonderful opportunity for visitors to Blackpool to experience the outcomes of her research through these exciting exhibitions and performances."

Cllr Tony Williams, Cabinet Member for Culture and Leisure at Blackpool Council, said: "Many people think of history and heritage as something that is encased in boxes, or hung on walls - yet it needn't be. Here is a chance for families to see the past brought to life, and to experience first-hand Blackpool's rich show-business history, learn about the entertainments our ancestors enjoyed and to visit and rediscover some of the stunning historic venues Blackpool has to offer."

For further information on the Knowledge Transfer programme please contact Jake Gilmore, AHRC Communications Manager, j.gilmore@ahrc.ac.uk; tel: 0117 987 6773.

Arts and Humanities Research Council: Each year the AHRC distributes approximately £90 million from the Government to support research and postgraduate study in the arts and humanities, from archaeology and English literature to design and dance. In any one year, the AHRC makes approximately 700 research awards and around 1,500 postgraduate awards. Awards are made after a rigorous peer review process, to ensure that only applications of the highest quality are funded. Arts and humanities researchers constitute nearly a quarter of all research-active staff in the higher education sector. The quality and range of research supported by this investment of public money not only provides social and cultural benefits but also contributes to the economic success of the UK.