The Enchanted Forest to release more than 65,000 tickets for a shimmering Autumn spectacle
The Enchanted Forest, Perthshires multi-award-winning sound and light show in the woods, is back for its 15th year with an event thats set to wow visitors and also benefit local charities.
The state-of-the-art show, which runs throughout October, attracted a record 62,000 visitors last year and smashed box office records. This year, more than 65,000 tickets are going on sale, which will open to the general public at 10am on Friday 17th June. Organisers Perthshire Big Tree Country are advising customers to book early to avoid disappointment.
The 2016 show, which has been revealed as SHIMMER, will use dazzling visuals and an original music score, and runs from Thursday 29th September to Friday 30th October at Faskally Wood near Pitlochry. This years event will also see the return of the multi-award-winning creative team of Kate Bonney and Simon Hayes as lighting designers, and RJ McConnell and Jon Beales providing sound design and composition.
The Enchanted Forest, which last year extended its season due to popular demand, brings in an estimated £2 million to the local economy. It was recently awarded the coveted Scottish Rural Award for Tourism & Hospitality 2016, beating off stiff competition from more than 50 of Scotlands top tourism businesses.
Proceeds from a dedicated charity night on Thursday September 29th will benefit the following three organisations: Scotlands Charity Air Ambulance; Kidney Kids Scotland; and British Heart Foundation Scotland.
Ian Sim, acting chairman of The Enchanted Forest, said:
Every year our show lights up the countryside of Perthshire and boosts our tourist trade. The show we have planned for this year is remarkable and will prove to be a must-see for visitors. As a charitable trust, we are delighted to be able to direct proceeds from a special preview show on Thursday 29th September towards three highly important charities in Scotland. As the show goes from strength to strength, so our charitable net widens, which is extremely heartening.
As a community-based event, we are committed to not only giving the community an exceptional place to visit every Autumn, but also to giving back. Our three charities have been chosen because of the important work they do across Scotland, and were proud to name Kidney Kids Scotland, British Heart Foundation Scotland and Scotlands Charity Air Ambulance as this years beneficiaries. We also cant wait to share all the dazzling new visuals and music we have up our sleeves.
Kidney Kids Scotland Manager Sheena Dunsmore said:
Kidney Kids Scotland are thrilled to be chosen as one of the charities to benefit from The Enchanted Forest. This is a great opportunity for us to raise awareness of the charity and a fantastic way of reaching out to families who may need our support. Money raised on the night for Kidney Kids Scotland will help children suffering from renal and urological illness and their families, both directly and through our support for the pediatric renal services in Scottish hospitals.
Lisa Stafford, Fundraising Manager at British Heart Foundation Scotland, said:
Were really excited about the chance to weave some magic with the award-winning Enchanted Forest and raise funds to help save lives in Scotland. Sadly, heart disease touches many families. Visitors can be wowed by this fairy-tale event knowing theyre raising money for our life-saving heart research.
Sally Cameron, Head of Fundraising at Scotlands Charity Air Ambulance, said:
SCAA is extremely grateful for this support – a donation that could mean the difference between life and death for someone in desperate need of an air ambulance when speed and urgent medical attention are critical factors in their chance of survival.
Tickets will go on sale to the public at 10am on Friday 17th June at www.enchantedforest.org.uk
