Ballroom dancers and admirers alike have convened in Blackpool, England, for the commencement of the 92nd annual Blackpool Dance Festival, which began Thursday and continues to June 2.

The festival is championed as "The World's First and Foremost Festival of Dancing." This prestigious festival hosts nearly 3,000 competitors annually from over 60 countries. The event spans nine days, and dancers compete in one or more of the festivals' 13 different event categories.
 
The first Blackpool Dance Festival occurred in 1920 during the week of Easter. It was held in the Empress Ballroom in Winter Gardens, a renowned entertainment venue in the UK and has been held there ever since. Empress Ballroom is located in Blackpool, Lancashire, and it is said that, since WWII, every British prime minister has spoken at the esteemed venue.
 
Although the festival was established 97 years ago, 2017 marks only the 92nd occasion of the event as normal life came to a halt during the Second World War. The festival was revived in 1946 and has changed drastically over the years since its inception. The famed festival has expanded to include competition categories popularized in the west and Latin America and now hosts five festivals, including one in China.
 
Countries from around the world are welcomed to participate in the event; however, you'll find that the countries with the most participants outside of England, often hail from Germany, Italy, Japan, and the U.S.
 
This year's event is expected to be the biggest yet in terms of participants. Check back here for event updates and exclusive coverage.

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