FESTIVE FUN FOR ALL AT SANDOWN PARK
21/09/2011
Dick Whittington pantomime welcomes racegoers to Sandown Park Racecourse for the two day Tingle Creek Christmas Festival on Friday 2nd and Saturday 3rd December. All racegoers are encouraged to come dressed as their favourite Pantomime character* on Saturday for the chance of winning some top festive prizes.
Whether you come dressed as the good fairy, the wicked step sister, the Pantomime Dame or simply in your favourite fancy dress outfit each entry will be awarded on their merits. Finalists will be chosen at random once gates are open and lined up for Father Christmas and his merry helpers to choose the winning Pantomime Outfit.
As a special treat for families, the racecourse has organised its own pantomime for the Saturday. Performed by the cast from The Panto Company, racegoers can enjoy the popular production of Dick Whittington. Four shows will take part during the day in the Esher Hall, where racegoers can watch as the hero journeys to London to seek his fortune, accompanied by his faithful cat. Gold soon becomes the least of his worries when he is smitten with Alice Fitzwarren, the Alderman's daughter, and is confronted with the baddest of all pantomime baddies - King Rat! Join Dick and the gang as he travels to Siam, then returns to face his greatest challenge yet - becoming Lord Mayor of London!
Traditional Horse and Sleigh rides will greet visitors to Sandown Park from the train station to transport them up to the racecourse to join in the festive fun and be welcomed by Father Christmas and his merry Sandown Park helpers. Walking into a winter wonderland, carols sung by a local Surrey school will be echoing across the main entrance. Sandown Park also welcomes for the first time children’s writer and illustrator Judith Kerr who has created picture books such as the Mog the cat Series of books and ‘The Tiger who came to Tea’ and acclaimed novels for older children such as the autobiographical ‘When Hitler Stole Pink Rabbit’ which is an account of her and her family’s journey across Europe escaping Hitler’s Germany before the Second World War. As a special treat, there will be a unique opportunity to meet Judith at the racecourse where she will be available to sign a selection of all her books.
Children can enjoy the chance to visit Santa in his Grotto where all young visitors will be able to choose a complimentary gift from the Lucky Dip and make their final Christmas gift wish, whilst the parents can look around a selection of Christmas gift and food stalls and do some early festive shopping. Don’t forget children under 18 enjoy free entry (accompanied by an adult) and there is a complimentary crèche available during the day.
After racing, visitors will have the chance to listen and join in singing some festive Christmas Carols with the ‘New London Singers’, one of London’s premier vocal ensembles and conducted by the legendary Ivor Settlefield. They have performed at many top London Venues and have won multiple prizes in national and international competitions.
The Tingle Creek Christmas Festival is widely credited as one of the racing calendar’s top events and the demanding Sandown Park course attracts many of the very best horses and jockeys. The feature race of the two days is the Grade 1 sportingbet.com Tingle Creek Steeplechase on the Saturday, named in honour of one of the greatest two-mile chasers of all time.
The day appeals to all ages, both racing and non racing fans alike and is undoubtedly a great way to share the magic of the Festive Season. To book tickets please call Sandown Park on 01372 47 00 47 or visit www.sandown.co.uk.
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Contact: Johnno Spence
Tel No: 020 7385 8819 / 07860 583307
