LLANDUDNO Victorian Extravaganza 2024 is nearly upon us.
The Victorian fayre, which will turn 40 next year, features street entertainment, vintage rides, modern attractions, stall holders, tractors and engines and more!
This year the free event will run from May 4 until May 6th.
There is no parade this year.
For all the latest information, keen an eye on Llandudno Victorian Extravaganza (Official)'s Facebook page.
What's on the main stage (St George's Place)
Saturday's opening ceremony will take place at 10am.
On Saturday, entertainment on the main stage includes: George Formby Society (10.30am until 11.15am); Victorian Dress Competition (11.30am until 12pm); George Formby Society (12.30pm until 1.15pm); Rock Choir (1.30pm until 2.15pm); Linzi Grace School of Dance (2.30pm until 2.50pm) and Llandudno Swing Band (3.30pm until 4.30pm). Traction engines will leave the event at 5pm.
On Sunday, there will be a Victorian Dress competition (11.30am until 12pm); Tim Lewin Llandudno Piano Man will be performing (12pm until 12.20pm); Linzi Grace School of Dance (12.30pm until 12.50pm); Cor Meibion Maelgwn (1pm until 1.20pm); Linzi Grace School of Dance (1.30pm until 1.50pm); George Formby Society (2pm until 2.20pm and 2.40pm until 3pm) and Busking spot act (TBC) (4pm until 4.30pm). Traction engines will leave the event at 5pm.
On Monday, there will be George Formby Society (10.30am until 10.50am); Linzi Grace School of Dance (11am until 11.20am); Tim Lewin Llandudno Piano Man (12.30pm until 12.50pm); Linzi Grace School of Dance (1pm until 1.20pm); Cor Meibion Maelgwn (1.30pm until 1.50pm) and George Formby Society (2pm until 2.45pm). Traction engines will leave the event at 4.45pm.
All entertainment / timings subject to change.
Other entertainment:
Mario Morris outdoor Magic Experience:
Mario's Award Winning Comedy Magic Show is back on the streets of Llandudno. His show is free and can be found each day of the event by Yorkshire Building society on Mostyn street. Times: 11.30am, 1.30pm and 3.30pm.
Lady Vee - Balloon Artist
Lady Vee is an expert in her field of balloon twisting. Her creations have the 'wow' factor. Animals, flowers, hats, cute wearables are just some of the balloons she creates. Visitors can find her by Yorkshire Building Society on Mostyn street each day of the event. Times: 12pm, 2pm and 4pm.
Dr Diablo's Side Show
Dr Diablo has been performing sideshow feats since he was a teenager after a keen interest developed into a career. He is now one of the forefront performers in this industry and is known extensively in the bizarre world for his talent and knowledge.
Repertoire includes: Fire Eating and Blowing, The Human Blockhead, The Painproof Man, Human Pincushion, Bed of Nails, Ladder of Swords, The Man who can’t be hung, Walking on broken glass, Escapology, Needle Swallowing, Chinese Fire Eating
Clonmel Street. Times: 12.30pm, 2.30pm and 4.30pm
Andrew Van Buren
For the 200th anniversary of Queen Victoria’s birth Andrew Van Buren and Allyson present a fun and baffling show for all of the family, which not only entertains but also answers many of the questions about magic and illusion – where did it all begin?
Can somebody float in mid-air - before your very eyes? Will Van Buren escape from Houdini’s Challenge? And is it possible to read a mind? This show answers all of these questions, plus many more.
With numerous appearances on television, performances before The British, Monaco and Middle Eastern Royalty, as well as tours around the world, this is a not to be missed show. Andrew and Allyson will also be teaching their circus skills during the day, all from their beautiful Art Nouveau theatre stage.
Trinity Square East. Times: Circus Workshops at 11am and 2pm and Magic Shows at 1pm and 3pm.
Traction Engines and Exhibits
These include:
- Sunrise: 4NHP Burrell Tractor, Works No. 3689, Reg. No. BP5927, built 1915
- Captain Scott: 8NHP McLaren Road Locomotive, Works No. 1421, Reg. No. BE7518, built 1913
- Evening Star: 8NHP Fowler Showmans Engine, Works No.14862, Reg. No. DW2235, built 1917
- Renown: 8NHP Fowler Showmans Engine, Works No.15653 Reg. No. CU978, built 1920
- Fermoy: 5NHP Burrell Showmans Engine, Works No. 3090, Reg. No. OH5022, built 1909
- Cromwell: 7NHP Burrell General Purpose Engine, Works No. 3218, Reg No. TB3959, built 1910
- Sir William: 8NHP Foster General Purpose Engine, Works No.14622, Reg. No. FW1917, built 1931
- Nipper: Wallis and Steevens 6ton Advance Steamroller, Works No. 7840, Reg.No. HO 6430, built 1925
- 6” Scale, 4NHP Garrett Showmans Tractor, Reg. No. FJ53YAX, built 2008
- Kitty: Rolls Royce Silver Ghost, Reg. No. AL 1531, built 1910
There's also a Steam Arena on St George's Place.
Road closures
The following road closures will be in place between May 3 and May 6.
Schedule one (blue): These roads will be closed from 6am on Friday, May 3 to Monday, May 6 at 11.59pm. Blue roads include Mostyn Street and Trinity Square, East, South and West and the town hall car park.
Schedule two (orange): These roads will be closed from 6pm on Friday, May 3 until 11.59pm on Monday, May 6. Orange roads take in Clonmel Street, Mostyn Street, St George's Place, Lloyd Street and Upper Mostyn Street.
Other roads closures - marked grey and red. Grey roads - these are closed except for deliveries on Friday, May 3 from 6am until 11.59pm on Monday, May 6 and the red roads - no parking permitted from 6pm on Thursday, May 2 until Monday, May 6.
Statement from organiser
Chris Williams, director/chairman, has put out a statement ahead of the 2024 event.
Chris, who has been involved in the event since he was 17 years old, said: "I hope you are all looking forward to this year’s event, sadly I am not. This has been my favourite weekend of the year since I can remember, it brings back lovely memories of times spent with my family and closest friends.
"It breaks me that we can’t deliver an event that makes Llandudno proud and keeps everyone happy. The fact we won’t have a parade again makes me die a little more inside.
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"Everyone has advice and opinions but not many work year round to actually put this event on. I’ve been involved over 20 years now that’s over half my life through good times and bad times. It never gets any easier and I’m not sure people really understand who runs the event.
"We are volunteers, not a paid event company, not town council or county council. All the money to run the event is raised by us, the liability of the event rests on mine and my wife’s shoulders just as it does for the landlord of a licensed premises (that’s a lot of responsibility). We don’t see the event like everyone else, in fact my wife hardly has the opportunity to see it as most of the weekend she keeps everything running from event control.
"Our kids don’t get to choose how to enjoy the weekend or anything else for the months leading up its work or Extravaganza.
"We have to deal with everything and sometimes we simply can’t. I have done this because I love Llandudno and the Extravaganza, I remember that as a kid seeing the rides and engines coming to town was the best thing ever and without the Llandudno Victorian Extravaganza there aren’t many events in Llandudno anymore (it’s special).
"Unfortunately the magic has gone, it’s taken to much of our lives and the lack of people’s understanding has taken its toll.
"We have had to work twice as hard for this year’s event and face all of the hurdles with added challenges. The event needs real support, I have a plan but it needs more people, more business and Conwy County Borough Council to support Llandudno’s biggest family event.
"Next year marks 40 years and we can bring the parade back, my spark and love for the event is still in me and I want to make an event that makes everyone proud but we can no longer do it with so little real support.
"Enjoy this year and I hope we can get everyone behind 2025 instead of saying goodbye."
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