Olympians launch Winter Wonderland event at York Designer Outlet (From York Press)

Olympic medal winners launchYorkshire Winter Wonderland event at York Designer Outlet

11:07am Saturday 24th November 2012 in News By Mark Stead, mark.stead@thepress.co.uk

Olympians gave a York shopping centre’s Christmas celebrations a sporting start last night.

Yorkshire-born Ed Clancy, Luke Campbell and Lizzie Armitstead, who earned medal glory at the London Olympics, were invited to launch the third Yorkshire’s Winter Wonderland at York Designer Outlet.

They switched on the lights on the 30ft Christmas tree at the centre of the rink, organised by Lunchbox Theatrical Productions, with visitors being entertained by performances from Russian ice-skating troupe the Imperial Ice Stars and fans having the chance to meet the Olympic stars.

Yorkshire’s Winter Wonderland is open until January 6 and will host the Ice Factor rink and Santa’s grotto alongside a funfair.

Centre manager Mike Thomas said: “It has been a great year for Britain and we are particularly proud of our Yorkshire athletes, so we wanted to keep the spirit going by inviting Luke, Ed and Lizzie to open our Winter Wonderland.”

Luke, from Hull, claimed Olympic bantamweight boxing gold, while Barnsley-born cyclist Ed won gold in the team pursuit and bronze in the omnium and Lizzie, from Otley, took silver in the cycling road race. More information about the Winter Wonderland is available at yorkdesigneroutlet.com

Meanwhile, York’s St Nicholas Fayre, now in its 21st year, returns next week for four days of seasonal market shopping.

Wooden huts housing more than 200 stalls will line Parliament Street, St Sampson’s Square and Coppergate, with gifts, crafts and local food on sale.

The event, run by City of York Council and open from November 29 to December 2, will also see Guildhall stage a Made in Yorkshire art and craft market, while a medieval market will be based at Barley Hall and St William’s College will host a market selling handmade items.

More information from yorkfestivals.com