Valentine's Fair returns to Leeds for 27th year

Last year: Valentine's Fair in Leeds. Picture Tony Johnson

The popular Valentine’s Fair will descend on the city for the 27th year, ‘bigger and better than ever’ according to organisers.

Boasting over 100 rides and attractions, the fair will fill the car parks in the shadow of Elland Road stadium when it opens on Friday February 9.

Highlights include Vertigo – a giant ride with rotating arms reaching a height over 30 metres and Top Scan, which swings skywards before a stomach-tingling free-fall back to earth

Last year: Children enjoy the opening of the Valentine's Fair in 2017 in Leeds. Picture Tony Johnson

The huge ‘Spinning Wild Mouse Rollercoaster’ will also return this year along with a giant Observation Wheel and a Bavarian-themed pub.

Stewart Robinson, of International Funfairs, said: “The Leeds Valentines Fair is the biggest Valentines Fair in Europe and was the first one of its kind in the UK too. We have been starting the year off in Leeds with this fair now for over 25 years and it is a privilege to work with Leeds City Council on bringing together this huge event. All the biggest and best rides want to come to Leeds where else could you find a full size Roller Coaster at a fair! Each year the people of Leeds come out and support us and we are looking forward to opening on Friday 9th and showcasing one of the country’s biggest fairs.”

The first ever Valentine’s Fair in the UK opened on Leeds back in 1992, filling the Headrow and what was at the time the car parks alongside Leeds Market.

The event went on to grow in stature and popularity and in 2000 moved out of the city centre to the car parks of Elland Road alongside the football ground. It has remained at that site ever since, except for once in 2001 when it was held at the Royal Armouries.

Last year: The observation wheel at 2017's Leeds Valentines Fair.

Admission to the fair is £1, with children under one metre high and OAPs free.

Once inside, rides are priced from £1.50.

It opens from 5pm on Friday February 9 and then runs 1pm to 10pm every day from Saturday February 10 to Saturday February 17.

For more information visit: www.leedsvalentinesfair.co.uk.

**From next Thursday, February 8, the Yorkshire Evening Post will be running some discount vouchers for the Valentine’s Fair rides in the paper.