Extended programme revealed for inaugural Show In The Park

York Knavesmire, 30 & 31 July 2016

Preparations for York’s newest festival of fun – Show in The Park at the Knavesmire on Saturday 30 & Sunday 31 July – are now nearing completion, with even more family-friendly shows, events and activities confirmed as part of an already-packed line-up.

“We wanted to create a festival that will have really wide-spread appeal, and looking at the final list of activities, displays and performances, we’ve certainly achieved this and more,” comments event director, Trevor Nutt.  “The show opens each day at 11.00am and the fun continues right through into the evening, with the headline acts all performing before 10pm, so even young children can enjoy the shows – although wristband entry means that parents can pop out and drop their youngsters off with babysitters if they want to return in the evening without the kids.”

Indeed, the show’s organisers have struggled to define ‘headline acts’ – “How do you choose between fantastic tribute bands, TV ventriloquists and the world’s only shopping trolley dance display team – we’ve got something to appeal to everyone, with all of the acts on the main stage, arena and in the bar included in the admission price,” adds Trevor.  

Highlights of the two-day festival will include tribute acts to Take That, Ed Sheeran and One Direction, hilarious ventriloquist and Britain’s Got Talent finalist, Steve Hewlett and party bands Spin Offs and The Mothers to get the crowds up on their feet.  Music fans can also enjoy a host of performers, including Isabella Crowther, Townsmen and Strip’t Back in the bar on Saturday and Sunday afternoon.

In the main arena, six acts – including horse acrobatic displays, stunt shows and a marching band – join a host of street entertainers, a mobile farm petting zoo, falconry displays, cheerleaders and circus skills workshops for the weekend.

Prebooked tickets will also include £5 worth of vouchers for a funfair which will run as part of the event.  Other paid-for activities include rides on the Red Dragon Monster Truck, which visited York earlier this year, and donkey rides, which are raising funds for Yorkshire Air Ambulance.

A wide range of food and drink vendors will be available on-site, though if people want to pop out of the show to enjoy the hospitality of the local pubs, hotels and restaurants, they can return later for the live music with their wristband tickets. 

“We’ve tried to ensure that a family can come to the Show with just their tickets in their pockets to enjoy two full days of entertainment and fun without breaking the bank,” comments organiser, John Lowery.  “Our most expensive ticket is an adult two-day ticket which you can prebook for just £22 – and with the Festival open from 11am until 10pm each day, that works out as just £1 per hour for a fantastic weekend’s event.”

Under 5s are admitted free, 6-11 year olds for £8.25 for two days and £16.50 for 12-16 year olds and seniors.  Tickets should be prebooked, as there is no guarantee that tickets will be available at the gate.   Attendees are encouraged to use public transport to get to the event, though parking can also be prebooked for £2.20 per day.

In a homage to shopping trolley dance display team Granny Tourismo, any grandparents arriving in fancy dress with their grandchildren will be granted free admission.

For more information, or to book tickets, please visit www.showinthepark.com

ENDS

Notes to editors:

Prebooked ticket prices are:

FREE ENTRY for any Grandma or Grandad in Fancy Dress when accompanied by paying grandchildren.

A family ticket (two adults, one child and one teen) would be £68.75 for the full two days’ entertainment, including £20-worth of fairground vouchers.  A one-day family ticket would be £44 including £20-worth of fairground vouchers.