Vicky ParryCity of York Council has announced that the Olympic Torch celebrations at York Racecourse from 2.30pm on 19 June will become ticketed, to allow more people to join in the highly anticipated event.
The decision to make the event ticketed comes following a fantastic response to the announcement of York’s celebrations at York Racecourse. It also follows regular updates with the London Organising Committee of the Olympic Games (LOCOG), North Yorkshire Police and York Racecourse to monitor expected attendance numbers and the delivery of necessary measures to ensure the safety of those who attend.
The FREE tickets for the events can be obtained from
- Visit York’s Visitor Information Centre on the corner of Museum Street and Blake Street
- York Explore Library Learning Centre at Library Square
- Acomb Explore on Front Street, Acomb
- or Tang Hall Library on Fifth Avenue, Tang Hall.
They will be available from 2pm on Friday 8 June.
Tickets will be limited to six tickets per applicant, all young people aged 14 years or under must be accompanied by an adult and admission will be by ticket only.
Councillor Sonja Crisp, City of York Council’s cabinet member with responsibility for Leisure, Culture and Tourism said: “We’ve seen an incredible response to the Olympic Torch celebrations and this is testament both to the special event it is and the community spirit here in York.
Gillian Cruddas MBE, Chief Executive of Visit York said: “We’re delighted to be supporting the Torch Relay event in York and offering the services of our Information Centre for the collection of tickets for both residents and visitors. We’re looking forward to two days of celebrations around the Olympics and a very successful evening at York racecourse on 19 June.”
“The event is now a free ticketed occasion to allow even more people to enjoy the celebrations and to share the excitement of the London 2012 Games; to enjoy a variety of entertainment organised by City of York Council with LOCOG and the three Presenting Partners of the London 2012 Olympic Torch Relay – Coca-Cola, Lloyds TSB and Samsung.”
The ticketed celebrations will run from 2.30pm at York Racecourse. There will be sports demonstrations and interactive stands offering tasters of activities including basketball, cheer-leading, table tennis and equestrian sports.
The tickets will also allow access to the staged spectaculars and interactive presentations which will run from 5-7.30pm and will feature the Olympic Torch completing the final leg of the day’s journey to the stage on horseback before lighting a celebration cauldron.
The party on York’s Knavesmire will feature Katy B, who has released a single with Mark Ronson to mark the Olympic celebrations, as she lights up the Coca Cola stage with former ‘Blue Peter’ presenter Andy Akinwolere as the climax act for the evening celebration of the Olympic Torch coming to York.
The event will also see local African drumming groups Umbu and Calabash and also the sensational gospel sounds of the University of York’s choir Zamar. ‘Britain’s Got Talent’ finalists Twist & Pulse will be dancing for the party guests welcoming the Olympic Torch to York.
There will be free car parking on the Knavesmire off Knavesmire Road and at Bustardthorpe off Bishopethorpe Road. Spectators are urged to come early and to avoid Tadcaster Road and the rolling road closures which will start from 5pm on 19 June.
Other road users are advised to avoid the city centre and allow plenty of extra time for their journeys. Listen out for traffic updates on local radio stations or on twitter at #YorkTorch.
