Tag: family

The Great European Carnival @ Central Harbourfront

https://bcmagazine.smugmug.com/Bcene-photos/2015/Great-European-Carnival/i-KNprRL2

The Great European Carnival returns to the Central Harbourfront today for a three month residency. Unlike last year’s inaugural event which took several weeks for all the rides to open, this year’s carnival is almost fully formed – courtesy of seven months of liaison with the relevant departments to get safety and fire certificates etc approved.
The midway is far more engaging this year, there’s more energy, rides and games are closer together and better distributed through the fairground. Compared to last year there are several more rides and a better mix. A couple of new rides are the log flume and the rollercoaster. For those who love to scream, last year’s favourites remain so bring something for those vocal chords! There’s a considerably smaller ice-rink, while the dodgems are still the most legal fun you can have impersonating a HK taxi/minibus driver.

https://bcmagazine.smugmug.com/Bcene-photos/2015/Great-European-Carnival/i-tx8pGcd

This year’s food court is more compact and right next to the stage area (in the centre of the carnival) so you can sit and eat while enjoying whatever’s on the stage. Castelo Catering, the sole food concessionaire, is again offering big pans of paella ($40) curry and rice ($60), pizza ($60) kebabs ($60/$70) burgers and noodles. Portions sizes are good and while it could never be called gourmet it’s certainly edible and negates any need to bring your own food. Look out to for the English fudge shop, 3 chunks for $30. There’s a distinct lack of places to buy drinks, so on a sunny day bring some water.

https://bcmagazine.smugmug.com/Bcene-photos/2015/Great-European-Carnival/i-gB7fzQQ

Rides and games are paid for in tokens, and as last year a token costs $10. Food, drinks etc are cash only.

This year’s GEC is a noticeable improvement on last year, even the ‘grass’ is better… But a few unsolvable kinks remain. It’s gonna be busy, so enjoy the queues! The games staff are salaried so there’s no ‘barking’ and hustle as they tout for your business. It would undoubtably be complicated to institute an individual commission system but it would incentivise away the apathy and maybe energise the game staff.

https://bcmagazine.smugmug.com/Bcene-photos/2015/Great-European-Carnival/i-ksgn9GJ

Great European Carnival
Date: 11am-11pm, 17 December 2015 – 21 February 2016
Venue: Central Harbourfront
Tickets: $125

Fish, Chips and Minis @ Chater Garden – 22 November, 2015

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Sunday afternoon in Central, instead of just the normal Sunday crowds of Filipinas enjoying their day off, the area around Chater Garden and Square is packed with families. The road is closed for a Mini display and there’s fish and chips from The Chippy and bottled beers and ciders to enjoy. A wonderful example of how vibrant the area could be…
Click on any photo for the full gallery

https://bcmagazine.smugmug.com/Bcene-photos/2015/Garden-Party-Chater-Garden-22/i-hJfBSXh

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The Great European Carnival 2016

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The Great European Carnival returns to the Central Harbourfront this winter from the 4th December 2015 – 14th February 2016. As well as games, thrilling rides the midway this year will also feature the unique Udderbelly – a performance venue like no other.

The Udderbelly Festival has already released tickets for some great shows including comedians Rory Bremner, Jason Manford, musicians Gobsmacked, Michael Winslow and shows such as The Boy with Tape on His Face and The Elephant in the Room.

Great European Carnival + Udderbelly Festival
Date: 4 December 2015 – 21 February 2016
Venue: Central Harbourfront
Tickets: various

Halloween Fest @ Ocean Park

Ocean Park Halloween 2015

The night before All Saints Day (1 November) is known as All Hallows Eve, which has evolved over the centuries to Halloween and been embraced locally as a time to dress up, have fun and eat sweet treats. Commercially a single night has become a season, and there’s no better example of this than Ocean Park where it’s 15th Halloween Fest is a 6 week branding bonanza for sponsors stretching from 18 September to 1 November.

Spokesperson Allan Zeman said Halloween Fest is principally targeted at Hongkongers… Which makes it hard to understand why H15 this year’s signature Halloween attraction, for a park looking to attract 36,000+ people a day, is a single person journey strapped to a board from your funeral through the first seven days postmortem. Needless to say advance registration on 4 and 10 September is required. Looking to cater to everyone Ocean Park has Halloween tie-ins with TV show The Walking Dead and anime favourite Doraemon among its 10 Halloween attractions and 12 seasonal shows. Not having previewed any of the these it’s impossible to comment on them, although calling an attraction Lolita Mansion seems a little distasteful. There are also a variety of themed menus on offer.

So grab a few friends, set aside your cyncism and have a little fun, entry is $345, but nothing is that simple these days and there are almost as many discounted entry tickets, passes and ways avoid queues as there days in Halloween Fest, take a look at their website to see how to save www.oceanpark.com.hk

Lai Yuen, Echoes of a Bygone Era

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18 years after it closed, and 66 years after it originally opened Lai Yuen is ‘re-imagined’ on the Central Harbourfront this summer. The result is simple uncomplicated fun. The contrast to last winter’s Great European Carnival couldn’t be more profound, that was noise, flashing lights, scream inducing rides… Lai Yuen by contrast is a throw back to a simpler less complicated time where fun and enjoyment was shared and involved participation rather than staring at a screen which provides the entertainment.

There’s a wide range of games, flick your flip flop, parachute man, toss the magnet, feed the elephant and my favourite throw the feather duster. A half dozen rides aimed strictly, apart from the dodgems, at young children and ice-skating.

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The ‘balloon’ zoo is fun and a lovely place to escape the summer heat.

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If there’s a criticism it’s that the food quality is very average and the prices – $15 for a small bottle of water – a bit expensive. There’s also a lack of seating near the food court. Last winters GEC had its food prices and quality just right. But there’s nothing stopping you bring your own beverages, and even with mist sprays on many of the games the Lai Yuen midway is hot when the sun’s beating down.

Games and rides are paid for with tokens, each token is $10. For food and beverage, you need to purchase a (top-upable) stored value card which is valid for the duration of the fair and unused credit up to $300 can be refunded.

Is it any good? Yes, go with a group of friends take a step back in time and enjoy the simple fun of playing, sharing, relaxing and having fun. Does it have the repeat visit attraction of the Great European Carnival maybe not. But it’s different, and enjoyable and a reminder of days gone bye.

http://bcmagazine.smugmug.com/Bcene-photos/2015/Lai-Yuen-Summer-Carnival-2015/50199723_GP6dRD#!i=4160676227&k=bVtW4LC

Lai Yuen Summer Special 2015
Date: 11am – 11pm, 26 June – September 2015
Venue: Central Harbourfront
Tickets: Free Entry

HKJC Community Festival @ Shatin Racecourse – 3-5 April, 2015

HKJC Community Festival @ Shatin Racecourse - 3-5 April, 2015

One of many events the Hong Kong Jockey Club is hosting as part of it’s 130th Anniversary celebrations is a Community Festival. The free entry event will be held at Sha Tin Racecourse and Penfold Park during Easter from 3 to 5 April, 2015. The festival will feature a wide array of performances, edutaining activities, family games, two Guinness World Record attempts, fitness and football clinics and a wide range of dining choices.

Tickets are free via registration, with a daily quota of 10,000.

HKJC Community Festival @ Shatin Racecourse - 3-5 April, 2015