It’s the UK’s largest Valentines Event, and back in South Leeds for the Half Term holidays will be the famous Valentines Fun Fair opening Valentines Day, Thursday 14 February until Sunday 24 February 2014 on the Elland Road Car Parks alongside Leeds United Football Club.
Each year the event seems to bring together bigger and better rides from across Europe and whether you’re looking for a family-friendly day of rides and amusements or a thrilling night out, there is always plenty to enjoy at Europe’s first and largest Valentine fair, which having initially been held in the City Centre until 2000 is still going strong at its current home on the car parks at Elland Road adjoing Leeds United FC.
Amongst the array of roller coasters, thrill rides, family rides, dodgems, twists and waltzers which have always been the staple diet of the Valentines Fair, there will be a fantastic new attraction this year in the form of the 2Xtreme the only one in the UK, while returning is Sky Flyer one of only two in the UK which spins its riders 30 metres into the air in a suspended seat at high speed. Direct from a theme park will be the Crazy Mouse Roller Coaster which spins its cars along its winding and twisting track, one of four coasters which includes the only portable vertical lift Roller Coaster in Europe. These rides amongst the 150 attractions on offer will give thrill seekers and families an amazing experience.
Also there were plenty of rides for those who enjoy more traditional fairground rides, including the ever-popular Gallopers, Ghost Train and four Fun Houses.
The fair also offers visitors the chance to enjoy many other attractions, such as giant prize games, food and novelty stalls and the numerous side shows that are on offer, including an indoor seating area.
The fun gets underway at 5pm on Thursday 14 February and will then be open Friday 15 from 5pm until 10.30pm, then daily from 1pm until 10.30pm through until Sunday 24th February (Except Wednesday 20th when the fair will open from 1pm – 4.30pm due to a football fixture).
Once again there will be a huge firework display lighting up the sky above the fair. This has now been re-arranged for Thursday 21 February at 8.15pm and guests are advised to get to the fair early to soak up the fun.
This year’s chosen charities which the fair will be supporting are Martin House Hospice which cares for Children and Young People with progressive life limiting illnesses, and provides support to their families in a purpose built hospice in Boston Spa, Wetherby and Cash for Kids.
And if you really want to experience all the fun of the fair, pay a visit to the free model show on Saturday 23 February in the Leeds United Banqueting Suite from 11am until 4pm and see all the rides in miniature as well as a number of trade stands and refreshments.
Parking is free at the Valentines Fair, however Elland Road and Beeston Road are well served by buses and including the 1, 51, 55, 64 and 74.
Organisers are promising that all children’s rides will be operating at just £1 midweek throughout the day with the exception of Roller Coasters and Bungee Trampolines and 25 of the large rides will be just £1.50 when the fair is open midweek from 1pm until 6pm with visitors encouraged to log on to www.valentinesfair.co.uk for free fun fair vouchers which are valid anytime and will reduce the large rides even further during this time to a staggering bargain busting £1 each.
Speaking, Roger Tuby and Stewart Robinson of International Fun Fairs commented,
“We are proud to once again present the biggest selection of theme park and fun fair rides to be seen at any Valentines event in the UK and one of the largest fairs in the whole of Europe. This year the fair is better than ever and we will be once again having a fantastic firework display too. Together with spectacular new attractions such as 2Xtreme we have again for the fifth year kept prices at fantastic rates for our guests and we are looking forward to welcoming families from across the City and beyond for what is a truly spectacular half term experience.”
The Valentines Fair was the first such fair in the World right here in Leeds twenty two years ago and has steadily grown into a huge spectacle with as many attractions as any theme park in the country.
Opening Times for the fair are:
- Thursday 14 February: 5-10:30pm
- Friday 15 February : 5-10:30pm
- Saturday 16 February: 1-10:30pm
- Sunday 17 February: 1-10pm
- Monday 18 February 1-10:30pm
- Tuesday 19 February 1-10:30pm
- Wednesday 20 February 1-4:30pm (Close early due to football fixture)
- Thursday 21 February 1-10:30pm (Fireworks at 8.15pm)
- Friday 22 February 1-10:30pm
- Saturday 23 February 1-10:30pm
- Sunday 24 February 1-10:00pm
Stewart Robinson of International Fun Fairs which runs the event will be speaking to Beeston Community Forum on Thursday 6 February at Beeston Village Community Centre on St Anthony’s Drive from 7:30pm.
