READY, STEADY, RUN Photo: Peterborough United
Peterborough United director of football Barry Fry will sound the starting horn at the Perkins Great Eastern Run on Sunday October 11. It all kicks off at Laxton Square, near the city market, when thousands of runners will be taking to the streets of Peterborough. Whether they’re aiming for first place or just to complete the course, all the runners deserve your support! There’ll be a real carnival atmosphere along the streets of Peterborough, with competitors travelling from all over the country. Barry Fry said – "I’m proud to be playing a part in this year's run. It’s a fantastic event that will attract lots of people to the city. Good luck to everyone who’s signed up!" Of course, roads will be closed from 10.30am, so if you’re planning to drive around the city that day, check in advance at www.peterborough.gov.uk/page-5340
FIREWORK FIESTA
A TASTE HALLOWEEN OF LA BEER FEST DOLCE VITA
This year’s Firework Fiesta at Ferry Meadows should be a real scream as it falls on Halloween! Already one of the largest fireworks displays in the East, this year they expect at least 15,000 people to turn up. The ESP team will be there again taking photos and giving out goodies and local radio station Lite FM are once again hosting the main stage. Programme Controller Gregg Nunney told ESP – “I'm made up that Lite FM are hosting Firework Fiesta again this year – it's always a huge event, even if the rain is bad like last year! From 5pm we'll be joined on stage by up and coming performers Mikey Matteo, Ashleigh Askew and local stars Craig Saggers and ESP’s own columnist and Lite FM contributor, singer Susan Saunders.” Gregg added – “We'll also be joined by the Mayor for the lighting of the bonfire, and at around 7.30pm we'll count down to this year's spectacular firework display. As it all takes place on October 31, we want as many people as possible to come dressed for Halloween – whether it's a vampire, ghoul, goblin, banker or politician! ESP will be taking lots of photos and the costume that we judge the best after the event will win a fab prize – no tricks! This is definitely a treat.” Organised by the local Rotary Club and Round Table, all proceeds go to local charities and over £300,000 has been raised so far. Committee chairman John Hill is looking forward to it – “We’ve expanded the firework display and we’re spending almost £17,000 so it’ll be absolutely fantastic. Without a doubt this is in the top ten displays in East Anglia. We have fantastic support from several voluntary groups and the proceeds all benefit local chairities.” To make the night truly special, Nene Valley Railway are running a special service from Peterborough and Wansford to Ferry Meadows, for more details call 01780 784444. Tickets are £5 for adults and £3 for children in advance on 01733 452336 or a pound more on the gates which open at 4pm with the fireworks going off about 7.30pm. Tickets for a car are £25 and must be bought in advance. www.fireworkfiesta.com
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www.espmag.co.uk ( October )
WALK ON THE WILD SIDE For trick or treating with a twist, try the Halloween Ghost Walks organised by Peterborough Museum and Art Gallery, itself reputedly one of the most haunted buildings in the city, which run twice a night on October 27 – 31. Combining fun with spooks and scares, there’ll be costumed extras positioned along the route to make the tour even more terrifying – book early, as tickets are selling fast! Tickets are £5 on 01733 343329.
Peterborough’s Italian community will be celebrating in style on October 18 when the city centre will be turned into Rome in miniature. The Peterborough Italian Community Association turns 25 this month and Bridge Street will be filled with Italian market stalls, demonstrations from Italian chefs, street theatre, Ferraris and Aprilia scooters as well as special exhibitions at the Museum. There’ll be live entertainment outside the Town Hall from the Lite FM roadshow – the hall itself will be lit in red, green and white – and to close the party in spectacular style, a fireworks display.
Tired of the same old beers? Head to Charters on October 30 – November 1 for the Autumn Beer Festival, with over 30 different real ales, ciders and perrys, which includes a few Halloween-themed beers. They’re also playing host to a fancy dress party on Halloween night itself, October 31, with prizes for the best costumes and DJs. Get practising the Monster Mash!
If live music is more your thing, Double Handsome Dragons, Point Seven Pistol, The Hendo San Project and The Offlight will be playing at the Brewery Tap, as part of a fancy dress party organized by Art and Soul Magazine. Entry to both events is free.
SPOOKY PARTY @ THE CELLAR BAR For a more intimate Halloween party, head to the Cellar Bar at Thorpe Lodge Hotel on October 31, where the lights will be dim and the walls deep red. If that’s not spooky enough, there’ll be karaoke, (which always has the potential to be truly horrifying when we’re singing!), as well as a disco.
OKTOBERFEST IN STAMFORD There’s no need to travel to Germany to get a taste of Oktoberfest – Lady Anne’s Hotel in Stamford will be hosting a special themed night on October 3. Complete with live music form Dave Cole’s Oompah band, loads of beer, German food and competitions, this night’s bound to be great fun. All proceeds will go to the Stamford Skatepark campaign, which is aiming to build a permanent skatepark in Stamford. Tickets £15 on 07739 040048 or www.stamfordskatepark.co.uk
GET YOUR MOTOR RUNNING The National Custom and Sports Car Show, one of the longest running custom car shows in the UK, moves to Exec at the East of England Showground on October 24 and 25. It’s sponsored by Custom Car Magazine so expect pimped out rides, classics, unique hotrods, custom trucks and custom bikes competing for prizes. There’ll be stalls offering spares and accessories for your own projects. Tickets £10, children go free. Ticket hotline 0870 1200 076 or visit www.customcarshow.co.uk