The Chronicle (South Tyneside and Durham)
Thrill seekers will be able to enjoy bar at fair
HOPPINGS ORGANISERS HAVE ALSO ANNOUNCED FOOD VILLAGE
VISITORS to The Hoppings will be able to buy drinks from a licensed bar for the first time in the fair’s history.
While thrill seekers have been able to down slushes and tuck into doughnuts, sweets, burgers and noodles before or after braving some of The Hoppings rides, they’ve never been able to sink a pint or two. Strict rules are also in force on bringing alcohol into the annual Town Moor event.
But that’s all changing this year as it has been announced that, as well as having its own Food Village, the fair will have its own bar.
Excitement is now at fever pitch for the return of The Hoppings to Newcastle, after it was cancelled in both 2020 and 2021 due to the coronavirus pandemic. It will return to the Moor with more than 450 rides, stalls and attractions.
And now, as well as confirming The Hoppings opening times for 2022, organisers have revealed that for the first time, this year’s event will also include Feast Street, which will have a number of gourmet street food stalls along with a sitting area under a giant stretch tent.
Feast Street will be situated at Forsyth Path, the area from Forsyth Road which leads on to the moor.
This year is the first time that the Hoppings has been run by Crow Events, one of the UK’S biggest fairground operators which has been organising events since 1865. The new food area will complement the more traditional funfair favourites including candy floss and burgers, ensuring that visitors will not miss out on their muchloved treats.
Visitors can enjoy food from stalls including Acropolis Greek cuisine, fish and chips, Gourmet Grill and a number of dessert options such as churros and doughnuts, with a number of other vendors also lined up to take part.
Feast Street will also include a licensed bar, which will operate a Challenge 25 policy and photo ID may be required, with drinks only available for those who are eating.
There was some considerable confusion in 2015, when visitors to The Hoppings spotted a saloon-style bar, set back away from the rides. The bar came complete with a wagon wheels and moose’s head to add that extra air of Wild West authenticity, but, sadly for guests, it was only for the enjoyment of ride owners and others involved with the fair.