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Artist Tracey Emin has unveiled the restored Dreamland sign as part of a major revamp of the theme park.
But the big event was not all plain sailing for the country's oldest surviving theme park - after a cart on a ride got stuck earlier on.
The artist returned to her home town to switch on the lights, but a trapped cart earlier caused headaches for the organisers.
Home to a big wheel and Scenic Railway, the Margate theme park had a grand unveiling today, with a new look, more rides, foodie fare and modern art installations.
But the revamp didn't go off without a hitch.
A cart got stuck on the Magic Mouse ride and two engineers had to walk up and push-start it.
The ride was closed temporarily as engineers looked for the cause of the problem.
The revamped site, which opened its doors at 5pm, has had a fresh creative makeover and has been re-landscaped.
Tonight's opening evening was touted as a chance to check out the renovated vintage rides and soak up the festival feel with a new outdoor Scenic Stage, with the Los Angeles Band bringing their rhythm and blues to get the party started.
It includes pop-up entertainment and stylish new bars including the Slide Bar and Tree Top Bar, where there will be DJ sets and a panoramic view of Dreamland.
The park will be open throughout half-term with family favourites FUN DMC and their daytime hip-hop block party for kids and parents at the Scenic Stage on Bank Holiday Monday, plus stage shows, Mermaid and Pirate School, and Teddy and Betty Land – a new area with rides and entertainment for little ones.
Contemporary dining area, the Friendliest Food Court Ever, promises to be more than your average street food market, with bold and simple flavours, while old favourites on offer include the roller disco and diner, plus there will be a boardwalk that shows off new views of the park and the antique menagerie cages.
The Dreamland Trust will also present Dreamlandscapes: A Portrait of Dreamland in the 60s, an exhibition by artist Barry Kirk, while the Cinque Ports pub will be offering British gastro-pub fare with a theatre kitchen at its centre.
On the seafront, Margate’s first rooftop bar, Ziggy’s, will be the place to get rum cocktails, Jamaican jerk BBQ, plus reggae, hip hop and big beats.
Dating back to the early 1870s and considered the country’s oldest surviving amusement park, Sands Heritage Ltd was appointed commercial operator of Dreamland in 2014 and secured a £25 million investment from Arrowgrass Capital Partners.
It is working with d_raw and Aecom in collaboration with Neverland for the full restoration project. The next phase of the redevelopment will see the Sunshine Café brought back to life and the front of the cinema building restored.
Kicking off a summer schedule of live music, the team behind the sell-out Hackney Wonderland bring Margate Wonderland to the seaside on Sunday, May 28.
The Kills will be celebrating their 15th anniversary by headlining the show, fresh from their European tour and with a third album under their belts.
Canterbury band Broken Hands join the line-up along with Brighton-formed TOY who bring their psychedelic sounds to the seaside, while Howling Bells will deliver their Aussie rock n’ roll.
To cater for festivalgoers, there will be transport between Liverpool Street station in London, with the last coach leaving at 2.45am, after the festival’s closure at 2am. For more information and tickets go to margatewonderland.com
DETAILS
Dreamland is free to enter and visitors pay to ride. Wristbands include unlimited ride access and can be bought here. It will be open from 5pm today.
On Saturday, May 27, the indoor music venue, Hall By The Sea, will open with Newcastle rockers Maxïmo Park taking to the stage. Tickets £18.
The coastal edition of Hackney Wonderland, Margate Wonderland, arrives on Sunday, May 28. Tickets £25.
The weekend also sees Turner Contemporary open its latest exhibition, Every Day is a New Day.
Running from Friday, May 26 to Sunday, September 24, the summer season at the Margate gallery brings together works by British sculptor Phyllida Barlow, British-Kenyan painter Michael Armitage and JMW Turner with artwork by young people from Kent and Africa. The gallery aims to becomes a space for making, discussion and exchange.
For details go to turnercontemporary.org
Admission is free and the gallery is open Tuesdays to Sundays and bank holidays, 10am to 5pm.
