Fire Engine and Vintage Vehicle Show returns after four year absence - get £1 off your entry if you use park and ride!

The ever-popular Fire Engine and Vintage Vehicle Show returns to Preston Park this Saturday and Sunday (June 25 and 26) - and people are being encouraged to use a new park and ride service to get there.

The service will run between Preston Park and Stockton town centre, where it will be free to park in Council-run car parks on both days, and everyone who produces a valid Arriva bus ticket at the entrance gates will be given £1 off the admission price.

People are also being advised to bring cash - card payments will be accepted for entry into the event but some traders at the venue will only accept cash and there may also be times when a poor signal means card payments are temporarily unavailable.

Councillor Steve Nelson, the Council's Cabinet Member for Health, Leisure and Culture, said: "The show is a firm family favourite and always draws a big crowd. We're delighted it's back with a programme that's as strong as ever."

Here's all you need to know...

What's on and when?

The event runs from 11am to 5pm on both days and will feature live stunts and activities including the Big Pete Monster Truck Show and Broke FMX Motorcycle Stunt Show.

There'll be more than 350 impressive vehicles on show as well as a range of stalls including food stalls and vans plus activities for children including fairground rides, Mini Monster Truck Mania, bungees, water walking balls, bumper cars and inflatables.

There'll also be fire engine crafts with Peg Creations and 28 traders selling local produce including Glo's Crafts, Steel River Drinks, Chapman's Cheesecakes, Juliette Gems, and Usborne Children's Books. 

The main arena timetable on both days is as follows:

11.30am       The Fire Cadets

12noon        Grand opening marking 40 years since the first event

12.20pm       Big Pete Monster Truck Show

1pm              Grand Parade

1.25pm         Period Firefighting Display

1.40pm         Broke FMX Motorcycle Stunt Show

2.15pm         Modern Firefighting Display

2.30pm         Big Pete Monster Truck Show

3.10pm         Fireman Sam

3.45pm         Broke FMX Motorcycle Stunt Show

4.20pm         (Sunday only) Prize-giving Ceremony

5pm              Close

Where can I park?

Large crowds are expected at this event across the weekend.

There is limited parking at the venue - especially between the peak times of 12noon to 2.30pm - so people are strongly encouraged to get to and from the event via a new park and ride service running between Stockton town centre and Preston Park.

There will be free parking in all Council-run car parks in Stockton town centre throughout Saturday and Sunday, including the Dairy Car park. A car parks map can be found on the car parks page of the Council's website.

Blue badge parking at the venue is also limited (accessed at the main entrance) and will be offered on a first come, first served basis.

We're appealing to motorists to be respectful and not to park in residential streets near Preston Park. We will have enforcement officers in the area to monitor parking and any vehicles parked in a way that causes an obstruction or hazard may be towed.

How does the park and ride work?

Once you're parked in Stockton town centre you can get to the event by using the Arriva 7 and 7A services to Yarm from bus stands D (near Stockton Parish Church) and J (outside of the Castlegate Centre) on Stockton High Street.

Buses will run every 15 minutes on Saturday and Sunday until 5.30pm and will drop passengers off at bus stops outside Preston Park on Yarm Road.

Return journeys to Stockton town centre will be from the bus stop on the opposite side of Yarm Road.

Discounted entry for people who travel by bus

Every person with a valid Arriva bus ticket that they've used to get to the event will receive £1 off the admission price. This includes a family ticket if all members have a valid Arriva bus ticket. Simply present your ticket at the payment booth to redeem your discount.

How much is it to get in?

Tickets are available at the gate, priced £5 for adults and £2.50 for pensioners and children aged six to 16. Admission is free for carers and children aged five and under.

Family tickets - two adults and two children or one adult and three children - are available at the gate, priced £12.

We do accept cards as well as cash for entry into the event but advise you bring some cash with you as some traders will only accept cash and there may also be times when a poor signal means card payments are temporarily unavailable.

What do councillors think?

Councillor Steve Nelson said: "We're delighted to welcome the Fire Engine and Vintage Vehicle Show back to Preston Park for the first time since 2018. The 2019 event was cancelled due to waterlogged ground and of course the following two years were cancelled due to the pandemic.

"So, we're fully expecting there to be a big appetite for this one and it signals the start of a bumper series of exciting summer activities. They're coming thick and fast over the coming weeks - with the Kapow Sci-Fi Market, Stockton Cycling Festival, and of course SIRF all fast-approaching."

For updates on the event days stay tuned to the Council's Facebook page and Twitter feed.

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