From the 9th to the 17th of August, Wakefield’s city centre families participated in the highly successful Dragon Trail. This exciting event was held in support of The Hatchling, which arrived in Wakefield from the 23rd to the 25th of August, captivating audiences with its breathtaking magical moment.
Throughout the trail, Wakefield BID was stationed at the precinct to provide visitor support for the upcoming Hatchling event and offer guidance to local businesses who took part in this creative adventure.
A Journey of Creativity and Kindness
The Dragon Trail drew in over 750 children, each excited to discover the 14 unique dragons hidden across local businesses in the city centre. Armed with Dragon Trail Sheets, the young participants were tasked with finding each dragon’s name and special power.
The real magic was when the children unleashed their imaginations by designing their own dragons, complete with creative powers. Four outstanding winners had their designs printed on t-shirts, showcasing a blend of artistic talent and community spirit:
- Dragon Jell by Fin, age 8, whose special power was helping the world.
- Dragon Mia by Logan, age 10, who had the ability to talk to humans.
- Dragon Firehedral by Ada, age 4, with the power to spread kindness.
- Dragon Toxic Sucker by Rafe, age 9, who could rid the air of pollution.
The emphasis on themes like kindness, environmental responsibility, and community was amazing to see from the young participants that took part.
A Dragon to Remember: Wool N Stuff’s Display
A standout shop window of the trail was the eye-catching display at Wool N Stuff. Their window was home to a dragon encircled by brambles that actually breathed smoke! This interactive feature was a huge draw for families, adding a sense of wonder and excitement to the experience.
Local Businesses Reap the Benefits
For the 14 participating businesses, the Dragon Trail proved to be a boost in foot traffic and sales. Feedback was positive, with 100% of businesses reporting that the event met or exceeded expectations. One business owner shared, “New customers came in who didn’t even know we were here before!” Another noted an increase in sales of dragon-related products during the event, highlighting the trail’s economic benefit to the local community.
Thomas Wales, Chief Executive of Wakefield BID, reflected on the trail’s success:
“The Dragon Trail exceeded our expectations. It was fantastic to see how engaged the children were, and the excitement it brought to our city centre. The feedback from businesses has been exceptional, with all reporting increased customer numbers and revenue. Events like this are a great way to bring the community together while supporting our local businesses.”
A Magical Lead-Up to The Hatchling
The Dragon Trail set the stage perfectly for the arrival of The Hatchling, which wowed audiences from the 23rd to the 25th of August. The sense of community spirit and creative energy generated by the trail carried on through to this remarkable event, cementing Wakefield as a vibrant hub of culture and imagination.
