THOUSANDS are expected on the streets of Huddersfield this weekend for the Festival of Light.
And a Huddersfield company has confirmed it will be taking to the streets with a new winter ride for children.
ZoomTrax is expected to be a big hit with young families at the festival.
In addition to all the street theatre, live music and light installations on December 7 – 9, young visitors can take a ride on the ZoomTrax, the new street toboggan created by Briton Engineering Developments Ltd, of Holmfirth.
The ride is usually set up in the countryside but engineers from Briton will be putting ZoomTrax in St Peter’s Street during the festival weekend.
The street toboggan will be 30m long and start from 4m off the ground.
To date, Scholes-based Briton have worked on over 200 snowsports facilities across the world, but this will be the first time they have built an attraction in Huddersfield.
Clr Mehboob Khan, Leader of Kirklees Council, said: “Festival of Light features performances from international, regional and local artists and it’s great to have an additional attraction made by a firm here in Huddersfield.
“It’s the first time that we’ve had anything like this at the festival and I’m sure it will prove very popular indeed!”
Terry Di Stasi, director of business development at Briton Engineering Developments Ltd said: “We’ve been developing ZoomTrax for some time now and showcasing it at our very own winter festival felt like the perfect fit.
“We did a trial run a few weeks ago and it went down very well, both with kids and adults!”
ZoomTrax will be located in the heart of the Festival, close to the winter food and drink market on nearby Byram Street.
It will be open Friday 6-10pm, Saturday 12-10pm and Sunday 1-6pm. A small charge will apply.
Festival of Light runs all weekend – although the majority of the performances will take place on Friday and Saturday evenings.
The programme includes a breathtaking high-wire performance in St George’s Square, live music and light and fire installations.
With a reputation for bringing renowned international performers to Huddersfield, the festival also features local and regional acts.
Interactive light projection Lightweight, by Slaithwaite’s Impossible Theatre, will form part of an installation in St George’s Square and musicians from Kirklees Music School will be entertaining the crowds around the food and drink market.
Local musicians Fat Stanley will also headline Friday evening’s live music stage on King Street.
