Kent Life, Maidstone reveals programme of events
A popular attraction which reopened after a three month closure has revealed its plans for 2016 - including the first ever ice cream festival!
Kent Life closed at the beginning of November shortly after announcing that Planning Solutions Ltd had won the bid to run it for the next 10 years.
Work went on over the winter, behind the scenes, to improve the Sandling site and update some facilities - including changes to the shop and tea rooms - before it reopened in February.
Freezing its peak admission prices for 2016, as well as introducing a new family ticket, Kent Life has also now announced its programme of events for the year:
April: Easter Eggstravaganza, which begins on Good Friday, will run until April 17 with games and races, tractor rides, animal feeding sessions, trails and prizes, plus the chance to meet all the new chicks and lambs.
May:There will be May Day celebrations on May 2, including maypole and morris dancing, the annual parade and crowning of the May Queen and her princesses, donkey rides and a Grand Tug-of-War.
On May 22 catch Peppa Pig on her return to Kent Life when she’ll be appearing at intervals throughout the day before the May half term break arrives when a host of activities and animal encounters as part of Sheepstakes will take place to celebrate Kent Life’s sheep between May 28 and June 5.
June: On June 12 visitors will be invited to celebrate the Queen’s 90th birthday at the Kent Life Royal Street Party followed by the Kent Life Country Fair on June 18 and 19, while June 19 also marks the return of the Classic Vehicle Show.
July: Bring along your pooches for some canine capers at the Family Dog Show on July 3 before the bears arrive for the Teddy Bears Picnic event on July 16 and 17.
Six weeks of summer holiday fun and activities then kick off on July 23, including The Gruffalo’s first appearance at Kent Life on July 31.
August:With the sun hopefully shining, Kent Life is planning to host its very first Ice Cream Festival on August 29, with ice cream vendors, chocolatiers and sweet stalls galore.
September: Autumn will see the return of the popular Hops ‘n’ Harvest Beer Festival on September 10 and 11 with live music, local ales and ciders, hop picking and entertainment across the weekend.
October: On October 1 and 2 you can celebrate Kent Life’s fruit harvest at the Apple and Cider Fayre, with over 60 varieties of apple, live music, local cider, demonstrations and tours.
A frightfully good time during October half term is then promised with the Halloween Spooktacular taking place from October 22 to 31 where you can discover ghoulish creepy crawlies, take a terrifying tractor tide, go trick or treating, take part in fancy dress competitions and test your artistic skills with daily pumpkin carving. There’ll also be after-dark thrills with Halloween Nights between October 28 to 31.
November: Winter celebrations start with a bang on November 5 at the Bonfire and Firework Spectacular, complete with fire breathers and entertainment for the whole family.
On November 26 and 27 the attraction will be stepping back into the 1940s at Christmas on the Home Front and experience the sights, sounds and tastes of life during the Second World War as civilians prepare for the festivities.
December:
In December, Kent Life will be transformed for Christmas, with opportunities to meet Santa, enjoy a tractor sleigh ride to his magical grotto and take home a gift.
There will also be the chance to meet Kent Life’s friendly farmyard animals during the Living Farm Nativity on December 11.
While freezing some admission prices, different ticket prices may apply say Kent Life, to special events.
Visitors should check the website for details as well as for any change to opening hours during these events.
