The fourth Bankside Frost Fair was a huge success.  It was opened on the evening of Friday 15th December by the Mayor of Southwark, Cllr Paul Kyriacou, and Arctic explorer, Benedict Allen, arriving on a husky sled, along with 300 school chidren from 12 Southwark schools and the twelve days of Christmas Lantern Parade.

 

 
  

Throughout the weekend the Bankside walkway was packed with shoppers and people soaking up the festive atmosphere.  The huskies were a big hit; husky sled rides were full on Saturday and Sunday and over 2000 children 'hugged a husky'. The winter market, street theatre and music on the stage also drew large crowds. Many of the Frost Fair stall holders confirmed they had done as much trading by Saturday 2pm as they had over the whole weekend in 2005.

 

   

 

Six Thames Cutters and 120 City Livery guests and crews took part in the inaugural Frost Fair boat procession on Saturday 16th.  Over the weekend an estimated 150,000 people visited the Bankside Frost Fair, a 50% increase on last year's fugures.

 

  

Tracey Farrant, a local employee who visited the Bankside Frost Fair said: " I visited the Frost Fair on both Saturday and Sunday. I was in full 'bah humbug' mood until I went there and and it really put me into the Christmas mood, with a mixture of both traditional and modern events. Gnomes wandered around talking to children and adults alike, captivating us with their banter and a troupe of performers who were caught in an invisible gale had us all enthralled. The stalls provided fantastic, alternative presents for friends and family in a wonderful, friendly and festive environment."