THE Enchanted Forest, Perthshire’s multi-award winning sound and light show, has announced that 55,000 tickets have gone on sale to the general public from today, Friday 12th June.
After smashing box office records for the event in 2014, The Enchanted Forest has extended its run from 23 nights to 32 nights this year, opening up thousands of additional tickets, including a dedicated charity night on Thursday 1st October, to meet the increasing demand.
An exclusive pre-sale period for previous customers has already seen an uptake on tickets that is 66 per cent higher than in 2014, prompting organisers to recommend early purchase, particularly for those families who have a specific date or time in mind.
The extended run is expected to be worth more than £500,000 additional income to the local economy, boosting tourism trade in what has traditionally come to be known as the ‘shoulder season’.
Confirming the title of this year’s show will be FLUX, Graham Brown, chair of The Enchanted Forest Community Trust that runs The Enchanted Forest, commented:
“We are delighted that we have been able to extend our run this year to accommodate growing demand to attend the event and to continue to expand this popular spectacle for visitors to the area.
“We are also delighted to be including a dedicated charity event on Thursday 1st October, which will see three charities benefit this year: PKAVS, Scottish Autism and CHAS.
“As a charitable trust, we are in a strong position to give back to the local community and we have selected three charities that are very active in this area.
“It is marvellous to be able to assist PKAVS, Scottish Autism and CHAS in their important fundraising efforts and we hope that they will benefit greatly from this unique fundraising opportunity.”
Graham added:
“Even though we have made thousands of extra tickets available by extending by one week, we are already experience strong demand for shows across the run with some show times already sold out before we’ve gone on public sale.
“The message is very clear: if you have a date and time in mind, don’t leave it to the last minute to book.”
Tricia Fox, marketing manager of The Enchanted Forest, commented: “As a community based event, we are very committed to giving something back and all three charities do exceptionally important work to support families and children across Scotland.
“Every year we get very positive feedback from customers whose children are affected by autism, and the profound impact the show has on them. For other families who are facing challenges, such as those supported by CHAS and PKAVS.
“The show offers an opportunity to enjoy time together and a break from their normal routine. We are proud to be giving Scottish Autism, PKAVS and CHAS a helping hand.”
Claire Macdonald, marketing and fundraising assistant at PKAVS, commented: “We are delighted to be part of this renowned experience and are pleased that funds raised from the evening will be invested back into our local communities through our work at PKAVS.
“We look forward to bringing along some of our service users and supporters to experience the magic of The Enchanted Forest on the night too.”
Karen Wilson, fundraising manager for Scottish Autism, commented: “We are delighted to be selected as one of the charities to benefit from this event for a second year running.
“This is a fantastic opportunity to raise the profile of our services which support people with autism and their families throughout Scotland. We are also looking forward to bringing along some of our service users to enjoy the experience on the night.”
Alison Rennie, CHAS fundraiser, commented: “We’re very excited to have been chosen for the second year as one of the charities to benefit from The Enchanted Forest’s charity evening, which was very popular last year.
“Once again it promises to be a magical event and all the funds received by CHAS will help us to continue to provide vital support to babies, children and young people with life-shortening conditions.”
The 2015 show, FLUX, sees the return of the creative team that put together the multi-award winning 2013 and 2014 shows, with lighting design by Kate Bonney and Simon Hayes, sound design and composition by RJ McConnell and Jon Beales.
As in previous years, they will be led by creative director and producer, Derek Allan, of Allan Associates.
The Enchanted Forest takes place from Thursday 1st October – Sunday 1st November at Faskally Wood near Pitlochry.
Tickets will be available from 10am on Friday 12th June at www.enchantedforest.org.uk
Tickets for the Charity Night on Thursday 1st October will also be available to book on 12th June by visiting www.enchantedforest.org.uk/charity
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For further information contact Tricia Fox on 01738 658187 or mobile 07989 955039
NOTES TO EDITORS
IMAGES: Free to use imagery of this previous shows is available on request by email t.fox@volpa.co.uk
The Enchanted Forest
Founded: 2002
Location: Forestry Commission Scotland’s Faskally Wood near Pitlochry.
Ownership and management: Highland Perthshire Community Interest Company, a social enterprise
Managing director: Graham Brown
Visitors: Over 45,000 visitors attend annually – up to 55,000 can attend in 2015
Creative director: Derek Allan, Director of Allan Associates
Lighting designers: Kate Bonney and Simon Hayes
Sound design and composition: RJ McConnell and Jon Beales
Sound and lighting main contractor: NL Productions
Event awards and nominations:
2015:
- WINNER, Best Event, 2015 Scottish Thistle Awards
2014:
- WINNER, Best Cultural Event, 2014 Scottish Event Awards
- WINNER, Best Marketing Campaign, 2014 Scottish Event Awards
2013:
- WINNER, Best Cultural Event, 2013 Scottish Event Awards
- WINNER, Cultural Event of the Year Award (Regional), Scottish Thistle Awards
2012:
- WINNER, VisitBritain Marketing Campaign of the Year Award (Regional), Scottish Thistle Awards
- FINALIST, VisitBritain Marketing Campaign of the Year Award (Regional), Scottish Thistle Awards
- Commendation, Best Marketing Campaign, 2012 Scottish Event Awards
Older:
- WINNER, Event Management Grand Prix, 2011 Scottish Event Awards
- WINNER, Best Cultural Event, 2011 Scottish Event Awards
- Commendation, Best Large Event, 2011 Scottish Event Awards
- WINNER, Event of the Year, Perthshire Chamber of Commerce Business Star Awards
- WINNER, Community Award, Perthshire Big Tree Country Awards
- Commendation, Best Marketing Strategy, 2010 Scottish Event Awards
- Finalist, Best Marketing Strategy, 2010 UK Event Awards
- WINNER, Best Marketing Strategy, 2009 Scottish Event Awards
- Commendation, Best Large Event, 2009 Scottish Event Awards
- Commendation, Best Cultural Event, 2009 Scottish Event Awards
- Finalist, Perthshire Chamber of Commerce Tourism & Hospitality Star Award 2009
- Finalist, Perthshire Chamber of Commerce Marketing Star Award 2009
Key facts about Faskally Wood
- Faskally was purchased by the Forestry Commission in 1953. It covers 365 hectares and is divided in two by the old and new A9. The area where the Enchanted Forest takes place is approximately 66 hectares in size.
- The forest contains 25 recorded species of tree, of which only a handful are native: Scots Pine, Silver and Downy Birch, Ash, Oak, Rowan, Common Alder, Hazel, and Bird Cherry. The oldest known tree is approximately 200-225 years old.
- Faskally is derived from the Gaelic for ‘stance by the ferry’ which probably relates to an old ferry crossing on the river Tummel.
- The forest attracts approximately 60,000 visitors a year, excluding those to the Enchanted Forest.
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Volpa contact details…
Contact: Tricia Fox
Phone: 01738658187
Email: t.fox@volpa.co.uk
Website: http://www.volpa.co.uk
