Summer FunFest at district’s markets was a blast
Wednesday, September 04, 2024
Hundreds of people have enjoyed a summer long, family funfest at markets across the district.
Events and activities took place in Wakefield city centre, Castleford, Pontefract, South Elmsall, and Ossett markets.
“It’s been brilliant to see our markets buzzing over the summer holidays with lots of families having so much fun.
“Footfall to each event has been great, over 450 people attended the free crazy golf session in Ossett!
“It just shows how important our markets are as a space to bring communities together and I know that the traders have seen a boost to their businesses too.”
Cllr Michael Graham
Cabinet Member for Regeneration and Economic Growth
Some of the events and activities included opportunities for children, young people and their families to be a pirate for the day, experience life in the circus, hunt for dinosaurs and meet some of the Castleford Tigers. Children also took part in Olympics themed dance, karate, gymnastics workshops, and much more.
And over the bank holiday weekend everyone was encouraged to tantalise their tastebuds, as the widely acclaimed international food market made a return to the district, alongside fun for all the family with giant garden games and crazy golf.
The final event last weekend “Seeing Stars”, saw hundreds of local young people experience an out-of-this-world space dome; a giant planetarium showing the full solar system, as well as interactive VR fun. This took place in Castleford Market’s brand-new events space inside the indoor market.
Traders at the markets have reported that the additional footfall has been great for business, and the carnival-like atmosphere has made the markets feel vibrant and full of life.
It follows on from a £6.4m investment in the district’s markets to make them more modern and attractive to shoppers and traders.
To find out more about future markets events, please follow Wakefield District Markets on Facebook (/WakefieldDistrictMarkets) and Instagram (@wakefield_markets).
Summer FunFest events were funded by the UKSPF and Wakefield District Markets.