Wolverhampton City Show ticket prices to almost double as it moves to racecourse

The family favourite is moving from West Park to Wolverhampton Racecourse.

Adults will now have to pay an admission fee of £5 and children £4, on top of the new £3 parking charge.

However, country music festival, Wolvestock, which got the chop last year, will make a comeback and be incorporated into the City Show.

Organisers today defended the price rise and said the event would be 'great value for money'.

They also said it was 'better suited' to the racecourse rather than its traditional West Park home. Parking problems have long been associated with West Park for big events, with the surrounding streets becoming clogged.

As revealed in the Express & Star last month, council chiefs are also considering hosting West Park Bonfire at the racecourse for the first time later this year. It too has been held at West Park for decades.

Civic Hall boss Mark Blackstock, who runs entertainment and events for the council, said: "This year, the City of Wolverhampton Show will be held for the first time at Wolverhampton Racecourse which we think will be better suited to a growing and ever-popular event.

"The racecourse has ample parking, is well connected and more durable to accommodate the types of activities taking place.

"We've added to the line-up this year and welcome the Wolvestock country music festival to the billing. This promises to be a fantastic day out for the whole family.

"While ticket prices have increased slightly this year, there will be more entertainment and activities than ever before. We believe this is still great value for money.

"After the show we will review the choice of venue for next year."

At its peak, the City Show attracted crowds of 80,000 and was first held back in 1972.

It is believed the move will save much-needed cash as the council looks to save £134m by 2019.

Last year, entry was £3 for adults and £2 for children. Wolvestock, traditionally held in East Park, was cancelled last year due to poor ticket sales. It would have celebrated its 20th anniversary in 2014 but the council pulled the plug, with traders blaming increased entry prices.

A £6 entry fee was brought in two years ago and last year's prices had rocketed to £11 with the cancelled event scheduled to be held at the Civic.

With its comeback, organisers are also reviving a Wolvestock tradition by offering onsite weekend caravan pitches from July 10, with music and line dancing alongside the City Show on July 11 and 12.

Wolverhampton Racecourse managing director David Roberts said: "We are delighted to be associated with the City of Wolverhampton Show for the first time and are looking forward to hosting our local residents and neighbours, as well as visitors from further afield, with a fantastic variety of entertainment for all ages."

The popular monster trucks will again be part of the City Show line-up, as well as a motorcycle display team.

New additions to the bill this year include quad bike stunts performed by the Kangaroo Kid, The Stampede Stunt Company performing a range of stunts on horses and David Seamark Sheepdog Display.

There will also be a funfair, puppet shows, a miniature steam railway and a BMX track. Gates open on both days at 11am, with arena shows starting at 11.30am. The show finishes at 6pm both days. Under-twos get in free, while weekend caravan pitches are £25 per vehicle and include free entrance for two people to the City Show. There will be line dancing and music on the Friday evening.

The idea of the City Show was first mooted back in the 1950s but was not until 1972 when it was first held, called Wolverhampton Fiesta.

It has had various guises over the years including Wolverhampton Open Weekend and Wolverhampton Extravaganza. It was renamed after Wolverhampton was granted city status in 2000, and then last year it was called Wolverhampton and Black Country Show to coincide with Black Country Day.