The popular Winter Wonderland event is to return to the city centre this Christmas - and it promises to be bigger and better than ever.

Michelle and Darren Matthews, who run Funfair Attractions, have won a bid to put on a festive pop-up theme park Hanley for the fourth year in a row.

Now details of what's happening in 2019 have been revealed.

The free event will open on Thursday, November 14 at 4.30pm and will run until January 15.

Visitors will pass through a huge festive gateway where they be greeted by thousands of lights and wooden walkway lined with Christmas characters and real trees.
Among the other attractions will be:

  • An undercover real ice-rink allowing families to skate whatever the weather;
  • A full-size spinning rollercoaster;
  • 60m sky swing attraction;
  • The adrenalin-busting No Limit ride;
  • The Airmaxx ride which lights up the sky for miles around;
  • A Santa's Grotto;
  • A Bavarian style bar;
  • Swing Grill offering festive eats and treats in traditional wooden chalets;
  • Dodgems;
  • Waltzer;
  • Sizzler ride;
  • Two children's rollercoasters;
  • A Santa's train which takes children on a journey around a huge Christmas tree;
  • New Year fireworks.

All the rides and game stalls are paid for by using tokens which can be bought from on-site booths.

Single tokens cost 70p, but 10 can be bought for £5. Rides need between 4 and 7 tokens.

Michelle said she was delighted to be able to bring Winter Wonderland to Stoke-on-Trent. 
She added: "We are so pleased to have got the contract. We were determined to return to our home city. We've run these events for the past three years and grew it into what it is.

"We feel Stoke-on-Trent often misses out on these events which other cities take for granted. We love the people here.
"We will be bringing back all the old favourites. Planning has been fairly rushed but we can promise we will have a few things up our sleeve to make it even better. We're working our socks off.

"Families will be able to buy packages where they will be able to go on unlimited rides and the ice rink will be covered again this year so people can plan their visits.
 
"Each year we have had increased numbers of families and we expect 2019 to be no different. We're helping to put the city on the map."

Shoppers today welcomed news that Winter Wonderland is to return.
Chloe Goodwin, aged 19, of Newcastle, said: "Winter wonderland is great for students that have just moved to Stoke for the first time as they get to see what the city centre offers.
"Not only is it great for the community spirit but it helps to get students out and socialising in a different environment."

Ben McManus, aged 40, of May Bank, said: "I'm really glad to hear that Winter Wonderland is back this Christmas. It had become a part of my two girls run up to the festive season. We would always top and tail it with a meal in Klay and visits to other local shops."
A Stoke-on-Trent City Council spokesman said: “This event went out to tender because we wanted to be as fair as possible and give businesses the opportunity to be involved.

"We also wanted to ensure that the activities provided the best possible value for our residents and visitors. Following a detailed process which looked at all of the factors involved in the event, we’ve now been able to award the contract.”  

For more details, visit the website.

Article from: https://www.stokesentinel.co.uk/whats-on/whats-on-news/bigger-better-winter-wonderland-back-3376501

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