Time is running out to grab free tickets for fantastic days out in the 11th Kent Big Weekend!
Registration for this year’s Big Weekend (1st and 2nd April 2017) opened at the beginning of February and there have been a whopping 161,444 entries so far.
A total of 112 Kent tourist attractions and businesses have donated tickets to Visit Kent’s annual celebration of the county’s tourism industry, and Kent residents are invited to bid for the thousands of fun-filled activities on offer. But hurry – the ballot at www.kentbigweekend.co.uk closes this Friday (3rd March)!
So far Kent’s wonderful wildlife and regal residences have attracted the most interest, with Port Lympne Reserve, Howletts Wild Animal Park, Wingham Wildlife Park, and Hever Castle attracting the most bids to date.
But there are scores of interesting and alternative tickets up for grabs, including Rochester Cathedral, Ashford Designer Outlet, Wildwood Trust, Tonbridge Castle, Betteshanger Country Park, Kent Life, Romney, Hythe and Dymchurch Railway, Canterbury Cathedral, Leeds Castle, Dreamland Margate, Dover Castle, Hush Heath Estate & Winery, Copper Rivet Distillery and several National Trust properties.
Experiences on offer include close encounters for animal lovers, brewery and vineyard tours and tastings, high speed boat rides, rounds of golf, greyhound racing, family activities, river tours, railway adventures, and shopping experiences.
There will also be extra prizes up for grabs for ticket holders on 1st and 2nd April.
Kent residents can apply for as many tickets as they like at www.kentbigweekend.co.uk until Friday 3rd March.
Two tickets will then be allocated per household by ballot (some family tickets are available).
Visit Kent Head of Marketing Sinead Hanna said: “The Big Weekend marks the beginning of the tourist season and is a fantastic way to celebrate all that is on offer in Kent.
“Over the last decade Kent’s Big Weekend has given our residents some brilliant opportunities to discover what’s happening in their home county and this year is no different.
“We’ve once again been overwhelmed by the support from attractions across Kent and the range of visitor experiences on offer, and we encourage all Kent residents to rediscover the amazing things to see and do in their county.
“And if you have a good time during the Big Weekend, don’t forget to share your stories and pictures on social media using #kentbigweekend17!”
Some attractions have also donated extra tickets to the Family Holiday Association charity, which helps struggling families to enjoy a day out for free.
The event is run as part of English Tourism Week, which highlights tourism as one of the fastest growing sectors in the national economy. Last year, more than 120,000 people applied for tickets to the big event, so make sure you get your last minute bids in for as many tickets as possible to be in with a chance of winning!
For more information about Kent, please visit www.visitkent.co.uk