Darlington’s WinterFest: Crowds gather for live music, stalls and food

November 27, 2022

A new festive event came to Darlington with stalls, hot food, live music and children’s activities.

WinterFest at Darlington’s South Park was organised by Groundwork North East and saw crowds gather in the café/bowling green area of the park between 3 and 7:30pm on Saturday (November 26.)

The bitterly cold temperatures did not appear to put the public off, however, and The Northern Echo headed down to see what it was all about.

A North Yorkshire jazz band, the Radio Pensacola Band, played various songs from the 1930-1960s, and it wasn’t long after they started playing that an audience gathered. Cheek to Cheek was one song in particular that got a great reaction.

Read more: 21 pictures of Darlington Christmas lights switch-on

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Little ones were also able to write and post their letters to Santa before the big day with a letter station on site.

Hot food was also on offer including pizza and halloumi fries, and of course, South Park’s café was open and many people flocked there for teas and coffees to keep them going in the cold.

Children were immediately drawn to the inflatable snowman and penguin near the café and the elf by the entrance of the event also proved to be a big attraction for little ones.

The Northern Echo: Children were naturally drawn to the Christmas decorationsChildren were naturally drawn to the Christmas decorations (Image: Paul Norris)

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The Northern Echo: A choir gathered to sing carols and get people into the Christmas spirit A choir gathered to sing carols and get people into the Christmas spirit (Image: Paul Norris)

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The Northern Echo: The choir entertained the crowds with some festive songsThe choir entertained the crowds with some festive songs (Image: Paul Norris)

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The Northern Echo: Little ones couldn't take their eyes off the festive decorations Little ones couldn’t take their eyes off the festive decorations (Image: Paul Norris)

The Northern Echo: Plenty of hot food was on offer including pizzaPlenty of hot food was on offer including pizza (Image: Paul Norris)

The Northern Echo: Street-food vendors were busy with large queues Street-food vendors were busy with large queues (Image: Paul Norris)

The Northern Echo: Frosty the Snowman even put in an appearance Frosty the Snowman even put in an appearance (Image: Paul Norris)

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The Northern Echo: Hot food to keep the crowds happy in the cold temperatures Hot food to keep the crowds happy in the cold temperatures (Image: Paul Norris)

The Northern Echo: Stall-holders were busyStall-holders were busy (Image: Paul Norris)

The Northern Echo: Crowds gathered round stalls to see what was on offerCrowds gathered round stalls to see what was on offer (Image: Paul Norris)

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The Northern Echo: The Radio Pensacola Band performing jazz songs from the 1930s, 1940s, and 1950sThe Radio Pensacola Band performing jazz songs from the 1930s, 1940s, and 1950s (Image: Paul Norris)

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