Preparations are well under way for the return of The Hoppings to Newcastle and families are told to expect more attractions than ever during a longer run which is out to break last year's record-breaker.
The much-loved annual tradition will be back on the Town Moor from June 16 and, besides the thrills of its high-octane rides and children's treats, it is gearing up to bring back the bar, which made a debut last year, grow its food court and add live music each night. Now run by leading fairground operator Crow Events, which delivered a nine-day epic event last year, The Hoppings is aiming to go one better.
This summer's run of Europe’s biggest travelling fair will be a day longer, until June 25, and already-announced plans include a promise of some of Europe's 'biggest, fastest and wildest' rides. Now the company says it is confident that 2023 is on course to beat last year’s big week which brought 400 attractions to the city, drawing huge crowds of around 500,000 visitors.
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Other facts revealed show that more than 100,000 prizes were won and a whopping 50,000 hot dogs eaten during its run. Food will be a big focus at The Hoppings this year too, with its Feast Street attraction, introduced last year, this time set to feature more traders including Acropolis Greek street food; the Big Fat Indian Kitchen, Readheads Mac 'n' Cheese and Shoot the Bull gourmet burgers. Other vendors - with more to come - will be Twisted Chick; Zenobia Arabian Cuisine; Chinese Noodles; Wings and Things and Pisa Pizza plus churros and loaded fries, all helping to bring a truly international flavour to the fair.
Besides the licensed bar, live music will add to the atmosphere with a stage set for different acts each night and featuring local talents such as former X Factor contestant Abi Gerrado; Newcastle singer and guitarist David Stoker and saxophonist and singer Andrew Usher.
Ryan Crow, of Crow Events, said: “We had great success with Feast Street last year and in response to that we’ve got even more food stalls and a fantastic programme of entertainment. We’ll also be running a kids’ club at weekends so there really will be something for everyone to enjoy.” For upcoming details of the entertainment programme during this year's June 16-25 event, keep an eye out here.
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