The magic and atmosphere of a visit to the beach will be arriving on a popular city square from this Saturday when ‘City Beach’ returns for a second summer season.
Following a successful debut last year, Leeds own urban beach will once again pulling out all the stops to transform Millennium Square into an oasis of fun from Saturday 9 August until Sunday 31 August. Organised by International Funfairs in partnership with Leeds City Council, City Beach will be open daily from 10.30am to 7pm.
The official opening, in the presence of the Lord Mayor of Leeds Cllr David Congreve and the Lady Mayoress Janet Harper JP, will take place this Saturday 9 August at 11.30am with a short ceremony hosted by radio media partner Heart.
A new feature this year is a traditional Ferris Wheel which will overlook the real sand area surrounded with boardwalk style decking, deck chairs and palm trees. Once again a wide range of themed activities, rides and stalls will also be available for all the family to enjoy including ‘Bamboo Bungees’ trampolines, a tropical jungle adventure funhouse, beach slide, ‘Waikiki’ cars, seaside carousel plus water attraction favourites; Pirate boats, Aqua Walker balls and new water cannons. For those people with a more adventurous nature, a number of thrill rides will also be returning including the ‘Crazy Wave’ and ‘Beach Buggies’ dodgems.
Another new feature will be a regular programme of weekend entertainment on the beach including a series of live Punch & Judy shows every Saturday and Sunday from 12noon and appearances from the ‘Heart Angels’ with various beach games and activities. The events very own ‘City Beach Radio’ courtesy of Heart will also be playing a wide range of popular hits and summer tunes throughout each day.
Whilst at a visit to the beach, visitors will also be able to sample a selection of delicious treats and refreshments including a beach style BBQ swing grill together with traditional seaside sweets and an old fashioned ice cream parlour. Existing street café areas will also operate as normal within themed licenced areas.
To make visitors feel at home in their sun and sand surroundings, the whole event area will be fully dressed and themed by the council’s P&C nursery team with bamboo and tropical greenery to provide a unique, vibrant and attractive venue.
Entry to the site and beach area will be free, with individual admission fees for all rides and attractions. Discounts will also be available for LEEDSCard and Breezecard holders.
Councillor Lucinda Yeadon, Leeds City Council’s executive member for digital and creative technologies, culture and skills said:
“We are really looking forward to the opening of the City Beach on Millennium Square, which for a second successive year will be bringing the magic and fun of a summer holiday right to the heart of the city centre from this weekend.
“All of the favourite attractions from last year are set to return, along with a number of new activities, rides and stalls, which are sure to add to the experience.”
Emma, presenter from Heart Breakfast, said:
“City Beach is a wonderful event that all of the family can enjoy and we are excited once again to be officially opening the event this Saturday and in helping to bring a taste of a traditional beach experience to the people of Leeds.”
