Snow at The Sparkle!
L ast weekend’s Scarborough Sparkle event was a roaring success, with more than 26,500 people converging on the Open Air Theatre between Friday and Sunday.
Trade at the 45 high quality food and festive gift stalls was brisk and family fun was in generous supply thanks to an ice rink, fairground rides, musical entertainment, giant illuminated Scarborough Sparkle fairies and Christmas characters.
The free Scarborough Sparkle White Shoreline Suncruiser bus, which operated on Saturday and Sunday, meant that people from Scarborough’s outlying residential areas and from the town centre could leave their cars behind and enjoy everything Scarborough Sparkle had to offer.
Stuart Clark, Scarborough Open Air Theatre Venue Manager, said: “We are absolutely delighted at how successful the weekend was.
“We always knew we had planned a great event and promoted it well, but the turn-out, for an event in its inaugural year, really exceeded our expectations.
“We have received some exceptional feedback and even more great ideas for what else we could add to the event, which we’ll definitely bear in mind for next year.
“I would like to say a huge thank you to the traders that pulled out all the stops to make their stalls look and smell fantastic, the many individuals and groups that provided first class entertainment throughout the weekend, The Scarborough News and other local media outlets for their promotion and support, the Yorkshire Coast Radio team, our own events and marketing teams and above all every single member of the public that came along; you really did make Scarborough Sparkle a very special event.”
Such was the success of the event, the council is already looking for people to get involved with next year’s event, and are asking anyone interested in having a trade stall or providing entertainment at Scarborough Sparkle 2019 to email events@scarborough. gov.uk
North Bay Railway’s Santa Specials got under way on Saturday too, and will run every Friday evening, and during the day on Saturdays and Sundays, with Christmas Eve also added to the dates.
The evening Santa Express trains are running on Friday 7, 14 and 21 December at 5.30pm, 6.30pm and 7.30pm.
The weekend trains will run at 2pm, 3pm and 4pm. There will also be a Twilight service at 4pm and 5pm, though places are limited and must be booked in advance.
While you can get a ticket at the North Bay Railway when you arrive, people are recommended to book in advance for all services to avoid disappointment.