Scooby-Doo to Open the Christmas Gift Show!

Children’s favourite cartoon character, Scooby-Doo, will be making a special festive appearance this Saturday at the Bournemouth International Centre (BIC) to open the Christmas Gift Show. So why not get out of the winter weather and crowded shops and visit the festive and fun packed two day event with gifts and Christmas ideas galore!

The show opens at 10.00am on Saturday 22nd November so make sure you don’t miss Scooby-Doo open the event. The Show is also open from 10.00am until 5.00pm on Sunday 23rd November. Louise Burridge, Exhibitions Project Manager at the BIC and Pavilion said: “It won’t be a case of ‘Scooby-Doo, Where are you?’ because Scooby will be at the show all day on Saturday, so make sure you pop in to meet him! Christmas is only a month away and packed with budget saving gifts and Christmas ideas our show is not to be missed. It’s also a great day out for all the family, packed with loads of activities all under one roof!”

Re-branded this year, it was formerly called the Bournemouth Art, Craft and Gift Show, the show is bigger and better with even more gifts, live demonstrations, competitions and workshops for adults and children. Nearly 100 exhibitors will be displaying gift ideas ranging from clothes, jewellery, candles, cards, and Christmas decorations to paintings, photography, puzzles and toys and even festive treats like chutneys and cheese!

Visitors will also have the chance to win family tickets to see this year’s Pantomime at the Pavilion, Peter Pan, starring Barney Harwood from CBBC as Peter Pan, Garry Turner from Emmerdale as Captain Hook, Gemma Hunt from CBBC as Tinkerbell and Richard Ellis from Eastenders as Smee. Tickets for the BIC’s Ice Rink in the Purbeck Hall, which opens on Saturday 6th December until Sunday 22nd February 2009, are also up for grabs!

There will be a Free Children’s Party Zone with Magician’s Krazy Kev on Saturday and Mr Merlin and Oakey Dokey the Dragon on Sunday, as well as disco and party games running throughout the day. There will also be a free demonstration zone, including peg leg looming, working with clay and watercolour and acrylic painting.

Children can also create a letter to Santa, make a pouch of reindeer food, create a Christmas collage and have fun and games with Playdoh at the free Children’s Activity Zone. Activities start at 10.30am and sessions range from half an hour to an hour, on both days. The last session starts at 3.30pm until 4.30pm.

Tickets cost £2.50 for adults and £1.50 for seniors and accompanied children 16 and under. Look out for ticket offers on leaflets and in the local press. Tickets can be booked in advance online (www.bic.co.uk), through our ticket number 0844 576 3000, at the BIC and Pavilion ticket offices and will be available on the door of the show.

For more information, please contact the show organisers, BIC Exhibitions on 01202 456400 or exhibitions.bic@bournemouth.gov.uk.