Giant parasol to star at Showman's Show

The 12 m diameter Mega-Sol parasol will be shown by GT Trax, which has acquired exclusive UK rights from the product's Netherlands developer. The Mega-Sol will provide cover for up to 250 guests in rain or sunshine, and adding side walls gives you a circular tent.

The Mega-Sol comes with a sixteen-piece angular solid wood flooring and the whole thing can be fully erected in just one and a half hours. A larger 17 m version is available for larger events.

"The Mega-Sol has been a massive success on festivals, parties and outside ice rinks in Holland, Germany and Belgium," said GT Trax managing director, Trevor Tinker. "The concept is to provide a unique, fun atmosphere combined with proper shelter from rain or sunshine."

Another company launching products at Showmans' Show is Italian lighting tower manufacturer Towerlight. The company will show its new Hydropowercube, a compact lighting tower with a vertical telescopic mast reaching a maximum height of 8.5 m. The unit weighs just 1180 kg and its compact dimensions mean that 20 can be delivered on a single truck.

Also on show from Towerlight will be its VT-1 and smaller VT-2 lighting towers as well as a new solar powered lighting tower co-developed with the University of Pavia, Italy. Under the correct conditions, the tower can run for almost 7 hours on a single charge.

"This is the first time we have exhibited at the Showman's Show," said Paul Hay, TowerLight's international sales manager. "In previous years we have promoted our products though some leading event contractors, however, we are now extending our complete range directly from the TowerLight factory".

Temporary tracking specialist, Eve Trakway, will meanwhile use the show to launch a new group brand as well as several innovative products, including a new dual-purpose aluminum Trakway system suitable both as a heavy-duty roadway and as a walkway.

The Rubber Box Company, which manufactures portable power distribution boxes for the events and entertainments industries, will show a new option for its power boxes, a polycarbonate window that fits over the electrical breakers.

"We will be selling these windows as a standalone product as well as fitting them to our power boxes and we believe they will be extremely useful in other areas such as construction, power stations and panel building", said the company.