April 22, 2024

Clacton Pier is preparing to celebrate Father’s Day with free rides on offer for dads.

The special initiative was trialled for the first time in March for mums and hundreds made the most of the fun.

Now it will repeated on June 16 and it is hoped there will be a similar response from those wanting to enjoy the rides with their children.

The offer is extended to grandpas, uncles and guardians over 18 when a Big Day Out Band is bought for a child. The adults will be offered a free wristband - and this will also apply when kids are using their annual pass.

Rides Manager Harry Turley said it was a new idea which could become a regular fixture.

“It is a thank you to those who bring their children down to the pier throughout the year and a chance for them to enjoy the fun themselves at no extra cost,” he added.

“Father’s Day falls on the weekend when we are also offering up to four free wristbands to frontline Emergency Services and their families – Police, Fire, Ambulance, RNLI or Coastguard – so there should be a great atmosphere.”

The pier will also be open to other customers across the weekend.

Before that the attraction will be staging its second free fireworks extravaganza on Sunday May 5 with the action getting underway at 9pm.

Final plans are also being put in place for a bumper Jurassic Half Term with nine days of activities and life-size prehistoric creatures roaming the pier with their handlers.

Dylan the Dilophosaurus, Bronwen the Brontosaurus and Loki the Velociraptor will be the special visitors from May 25 to June 2.

The third free fireworks display will be staged on Sunday May 26 and it will include audio to add to the entertainment.

The whole event will mark the first anniversary of the opening of Jurassic Pier, a £500,000 interactive dino walk-through experience leading into 4D cinema.

Full details will be announced nearer the time.

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