A VICTORIAN celebration will be held to mark the official re-opening of the Snaefell Summit Restaurant next month.
The event is being organised by the Department of Community, Culture and Leisure which has invested £230,000 to completely refurbish the building.
Minister David Cretney will depart on the 11.15am tram from Laxey Station on Saturday, July 2, accompanied by Queen Victoria and her private secretary, to perform the official re-opening.
This will be followed by activities at Laxey Station including a parade by the Red Coat soldiers, a Victorian photographer, Punch and Judy shows, balloon modelling, silver bands and a display of vintage vehicles.
There will also be the chance to see the Travelling Museum of Curiosities and Wonderment starring Palaeontologist Lard Augustus Holkham, Explorer Dr Dagwinnit, Egyptologist Clarissa Fflinders-Caltroppe and Japanologist Minerva Powtarlotte.
The event extends to Ramsey with a vintage double-decker bus providing shuttle runs between Ramsey Tram Station and the Grove, Milntown House and the Transport Museum at Jurby.
On Sunday, July 3, there will be a Victorian costume competition for adults and children at 3.15pm. Anyone who is in costume will also be entitled to half price travel on the trams.
The refurbishment to the Snaefell Summit Restaurant included a new roof, new windows and doors, re-decoration and the installation of new toilets, washroom and a commercial kitchen. It has also been fully insulated with the installation of under-floor heating.
Mr Cretney said: "The summit building has been given a new lease of life bringing it up to modern standards that will ensure its place as a prime tourist attraction for many years to come.
"It makes a wonderful venue for the special Sunset Dinners and Pie in the Sky evenings staged by the Heritage Railways as well as providing cafe meals and Sunday lunches."
The Department of Community, Culture and Leisure is also half way through a three million pound track replacement scheme on the five mile long Snaefell Mountain Railway. Tynwald will be asked to approve £1.5million to complete the track renewal at the July sitting.
For more information on the Victorian extravaganza please visit www.iombusandrail.info.
