Families will be able to enjoy free activities including circus workshops in Civic Park and pushcart races in Hunter Street Mall over the Supercars Newcastle 500 weekend as activity from the race precinct spreads across the city.
City of Newcastle today launched ‘Enjoy Newcastle’, a program of events and activities to create a festival atmosphere in the city centre over the Newcastle 500 event.
Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes said the 2019 Supercars finale is set to bring thousands of visitors to Newcastle, giving us the perfect opportunity to share all that we enjoy about our growing destination city.
“Now in its third year, the Newcastle 500 has firmly cemented its place as the city’s most anticipated sporting event,” the Lord Mayor said.
“The inaugural race in 2017 attracted a crowd of more than 190,000, with visitors spending over $12.5 million in the region. In 2018, Newcastle Airport announced a record number of passengers arriving on the first day of the event and Supercars set a record-breaking year in viewing audiences across television and digital platforms for the Newcastle 500.
“As thousands of event goers arrive for this year’s big race weekend, we’re poised to show-off our spectacular natural coastline and fabulous eateries. There will be plenty of fun for the family with opportunities for visitors and locals to soak up the atmosphere on and off the racetrack.
“Enjoy Newcastle will kick off on Thursday 21 November at Civic Park, with all 26 Supercars drivers on hand for a signing event, and a live broadcast of “Trackside” on Fox Sports.
“Over the weekend, Hunter Street Mall, next to the race precinct, will be abuzz with billy cart challenges, pop-up shops, family-friendly activities and live entertainment. It’s all free, action-packed fun. This is a great opportunity for locals to see what’s on offer in the Mall and for event goers to step outside the precinct and get a taste of local life.
“The entertainment will continue at Civic Park throughout the weekend with a super-sized Newcastle-themed monopoly board, monster truck slide, jumping castles, obstacle course and an auto-race simulator. There’s also a dedicated under-six play area and an adrenalin-rush obstacle course suited to both big kids and adults.
“Enjoy the race on Saturday and then make your way to Newcastle West to see international superstars KISS at No.1 Sportsground. Local rockers The Screaming Jets, led by original front man Dave Gleeson, will be special guests.
“Enjoy Newcastle is just one way the City will help businesses take advantage of the influx of visitors here to attend the Newcastle 500.
“It’s about highlighting all the great things to do in our city and encouraging visitors to venture beyond the race precinct to discover more of our City.”
Super-duper Karts is the brainchild of local business owner Lucy Glover. Over the weekend Lucy and other mall traders will deliver a fantastic range of free activities in the mall for the whole family while raising money for local charities.
“We want to showcase what Hunter Street Mall and our businesses have to offer by bringing the place alive and community together. I’m excited to watch the Super-duper Karts – Pushcart Challenge head-to-head races and take part to see if I can win any of the ‘Mall Money’ prizes,” Lucy said.
The Enjoy Newcastle line up includes:
Super Signing Session – free
Thursday 21 November
From 4.30pm in Civic Park
Meet all 26 Newcastle 500 Supercar champions and get their autograph. Plus watch a live broadcast of “Trackside” as it goes to air on Fox Sports.
Superkids Pitstop – free
Saturday and Sunday
From 10am – 4pm in Civic Park
Play Newcastle’s version of Monopoly on an oversized board. Kids can also enjoy a monster truck slide, obstacle course, circus workshops and there’s a dedicated under 6 zone.
Super-duper Karts
Saturday and Sunday
Hunter Street Mall
Take a spin down the Mall in the pushcart challenge for a shot at some great prizes. Live entertainment, pop-up shops, and delicious local food.
KISS
Saturday
From 5.30pm at No. 1 Sportsground
Enjoy the race on Saturday and rock and roll all night. Don’t miss global superstars KISS and hometown heroes The Screaming Jets at the Newcastle 500 concert.
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