The sun made a fleeting appearance to welcome the return of The Hoppings on Friday and while it proved elusive over the rest of the opening afternoon, the weather remained warm and mostly dry for its first arrivals - save for a, very brief, spot of rain in the air.
The long-running fair is back on Newcastle Town Moor under a different manager, fairground operator Crow Events, which has added major new attraction - a first bar and street food village, called Feast Street - which takes up space at the centre of the site near where The Hoppings was officially launched on Friday after by the Lord Mayor of Newcastle.
Coun Karen Robinson welcomed its comeback, following the two years of cancellations due to the pandemic, and pointed out that this is its 140-year anniversary. And returning visitors will find a new car parking system as well as more than 450 rides, stalls and attractions. The new food area - which is in addition to the range of other food outlets across the fairground site - includes gourmet street food stalls such as Acropolis Greek cuisine, fish and chips and a dessert options including churros and doughnuts.
