For the people of Tyneside, The Hoppings has traditionally marked the proper beginning of summer for 140 years, although there were gatherings and celebrations on Town Moor going back to the 13th century. Growing from a Temperance Fair in 1882, the current incarnation is now one of Europe’s largest such events, regularly attracting in excess of 300,000 people over its nine-day run.
Like so many events, the pandemic scuppered The Hoppings in 2020 and – despite the best efforts of its new management team at Crow Events – 2021, so it’s more exciting than ever to have it back this summer.
The Hoppings opens on the Town Moor on Friday (June 17th) and runs until the following Saturday (June 25th) and Crow Events are determined to make it the biggest yet. “This will be the first time the Hoppings have been at the Town Moor since 2019,” explained Ryan Crow, “and we’ve been working tirelessly to bring the most fantastic line-up of some of Europe’s top attractions. We know people will have really missed it and so we’re determined to make this year one that everyone will really remember.”
Visitors can expect more than 450 rides and attractions for all the family spread out across a whole kilometre of the moor, with lots of more sedate and traditional fairground attractions but plenty of terrifying experiences for the thrill-seekers amongst you too. So there’s everything from the Magic Mouse Rollercoaster to a traditional ghost train, dodgems to a funhouse and the really gnarly rides like Tagada and Extreme. There’s a new version of the Super Trooper ride and the return of the stomach-churning Reverse Bungee – your chance to experience nearly 5gs of force over 150 feet! And the new attractions include the 200ft-high Star Flyer and the 80mph Mach Bomber.
The Hoppings is open from midday till 10pm every day (the car parks open 30 minutes earlier) and admission is free, with the rides and attractions costing between £1.50 - £5. Visitors can bring their own food and drink although Crow Events have announced some significant additions to the food and drink offering this year which should tempt everybody.
The new food court – named Feast Street – is at Forsyth Path and will serve as a complement to the traditional fairground treats you’d expect – family favourites like candy floss and burgers and the like. A selection of gourmet street food stalls will be selling everything from Greek cuisine (courtesy of Acropolis) to fish and chips, sweet treats like churros and doughnuts and lots more besides. And there’s a new covered seating area housed in a giant stretch tent for you to sit with your snacks and take a break. The Hoppings will also be licensed for the first time, with alcoholic drinks available to those who are eating (please bear in mind that photo ID may be required and the Challenge 25 policy will be in place).
Check out the newly-updated Hoppings website for details on what’s happening and how to get there, and don’t forget to book your car parking too.
