Event venues at the Great Yorkshire Showground are celebrating a strong start to 2024 after a record-breaking 2023.
The Yorkshire Event Centre and Pavilions of Harrogate are set to welcome thousands of visitors over the coming year, helping to contribute millions of pounds to the local economy.
Independent economic research found that businesses and events held on the Great Yorkshire Showground contributed £73.7 million to the economy.
All profits raised from events and business on the Showground, fund the work of the charity owners Yorkshire Agricultural Society which organises free farmer health checks, teacher training days and Countryside Days for thousands of primary school children and so much more.
The year kicked off with the Antiques and Art Fair at the Pavilions and Ripon Farm Services at the YEC where over 5,000 farmers attended the 20th anniversary of the event from 24-25.
The YEC celebrated a record-breaking 2023 after hosting a string of new events which are due to return this year, including the comic convention Comicon from 22-23 June, electric vehicle extravaganza Everything Electric North from 24-26 May and the Great Holiday Home Show – now renamed the Great Caravan, Motorhome and Holiday Home Show. This will return to the Showground from 6-8 September for public and 10-12 September for trade.
Pavilions of Harrogate had one of its biggest years to date, hosting several new and hugely popular events including the Future Farmers of Yorkshire Harvest Dinner Dance and is already ahead of targets for the year ahead.
Richard Moorhouse, event director, said: “It’s a strong forecast for our venues in 2024, off the back of solid foundations laid last year. The team has done a terrific job in delivering successful events while attracting new business and we are thrilled to be heading into 2024 with some large-scale national events, guaranteed to attract thousands of visitors into the region and we are proud to host them here.”
February will see the first Business Club Lunch of the year on the 9th, the Ice Cream and Artisan Food Show (trade only) at the YEC from 6-8th, followed by the Indoor Funfair from 10-18th and the Rock Gem N Bead Show from 10–11th.
March will see the Big Yorkshire Wedding Show on the 3rd and from 15-16th there will be Harrogate Premier Book Fair. Then, 15–17th Yorkshire Motorhome and Campervan Show will be at the YEC where there will be Springtime Live on Saturday 23rd.
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