Preston Park fire engine show: Prices and how to get tickets

The show takes place at Preston Park, in Stockton, on Saturday and Sunday.

People are being encouraged to use a new park and ride service to get there – and will get £1 off their ticket if they do.

The service will run between Preston Park and Stockton town centre, where it will be free to park in council-run car parks on both days.

Everyone who produces a valid Arriva bus ticket at the entrance gates will be given £1 off the admission price.

People are also being advised to bring cash – card payments will be accepted for entry into the event but some traders at the venue will only accept cash and there may also be times when a poor signal means card payments are temporarily unavailable.

Councillor Steve Nelson, Stockton Council’s cabinet member for health, leisure and culture, said: “The show is a firm family favourite and always draws a big crowd. We’re delighted it’s back with a programme that’s as strong as ever.

We’re delighted to welcome the Fire Engine and Vintage Vehicle Show back to Preston Park for the first time since 2018. The 2019 event was cancelled due to waterlogged ground and of course the following two years were cancelled due to the pandemic.

“So, we’re fully expecting there to be a big appetite for this one and it signals the start of a bumper series of exciting summer activities. They’re coming thick and fast over the coming weeks – with the Kapow Sci-Fi Market, Stockton Cycling Festival, and of course SIRF all fast-approaching.”

What’s on and when?

The event runs from 11am to 5pm on both days and will feature live stunts and activities including the Big Pete Monster Truck Show and Broke FMX Motorcycle Stunt Show.

There’ll be more than 350 vehicles on show as well as a range of stalls including food stalls and vans plus activities for children including fairground rides, Mini Monster Truck Mania, bungees, water walking balls, bumper cars and inflatables.

There will also be fire engine crafts with Peg Creations and 28 traders selling local produce including Glo’s Crafts, Steel River Drinks, Chapman’s Cheesecakes, Juliette Gems, and Usborne Children’s Books. 

The main arena timetable on both days is as follows:

11.30am       The Fire Cadets

12noon        Grand opening marking 40 years since the first event

12.20pm       Big Pete Monster Truck Show

1pm              Grand Parade

1.25pm         Period Firefighting Display

1.40pm         Broke FMX Motorcycle Stunt Show

2.15pm         Modern Firefighting Display

2.30pm         Big Pete Monster Truck Show

3.10pm         Fireman Sam

3.45pm         Broke FMX Motorcycle Stunt Show

4.20pm         (Sunday only) Prize-giving Ceremony

5pm              Close

Where can I park?

Large crowds are expected at this event across the weekend.

There is limited parking at the venue – especially between the peak times of 12noon to 2.30pm – so people are strongly encouraged to get to and from the event via a new park and ride service running between Stockton town centre and Preston Park.

There will be free parking in all Council-run car parks in Stockton town centre throughout Saturday and Sunday, including the Dairy Car park. A car parks map can be found on the of the council’s website.

Blue badge parking at the venue is also limited and will be offered on a first come, first served basis.

Motorists are being asked not to park in residential streets near Preston Park and are warned enforcement officers will be monitoring vehicles which cause an obstruction.

How does the park and ride work?

Once you park in Stockton town centre you can get to the event by using the Arriva 7 and 7A services to Yarm from bus stands D (near Stockton Parish Church) and J (outside of the Castlegate Centre) on Stockton High Street.

Buses will run every 15 minutes on Saturday and Sunday until 5.30pm and will drop passengers off at bus stops outside Preston Park on Yarm Road.

Return journeys to Stockton town centre will be from the bus stop on the opposite side of Yarm Road.

How much is it to get in?

Tickets are available at the gate, priced £5 for adults and £2.50 for pensioners and children aged six to 16. Admission is free for carers and children aged five and under.

Family tickets – two adults and two children or one adult and three children – are available at the gate, priced £12.

People are advised to bring cash.