Category: News

So you want to be an Elf? Santa has asked his Head Elf to form a new squad for Oakfield Park’s Santa Express 2022 and we want you. There are many roles that we need some bright new faces for. Please read through the job descriptions below and select the one(s) you feel you’d be best suited for. You need to be energetic, positive, enthusiastic with a sense of good old Christmas spirit. Performance experience is preferred but not necessary. You will probably do more than one role in your time at the Santa Express and will be trained to do all.

Applicants need to be 15 years old and above with a few roles only suitable to those over 18. The Santa Express Dates are 30th November to the 23rd of December. Weekday shifts start at 4pm and weekends at midday. Preference will be given to those who are available to work 3+ days a week.

Please submit your CV to [email protected] along with your reasons for wanting this role. Closing date for applications is Saturday 16th October. Successful applicants must be available to attend auditions 20th-22nd October & training 25th -27th November.

Job Roles:

ENTRANCE KIOSK
The first face customers see. Happy and welcoming with good organisational skills.
Jobs: Greeting and information, ticket scanning, distribution of tickets and tokens, story-telling and communication with platform elves.

GROTTOS
Part of a 5 elf team with Santa. Energetic and organised.
Jobs: Keeping Santa’s Grotto magical as well as clean and tiday! Helping customers safely board and disembark the train. Queue management, entertaining families while they wait by leading games, story-telling, running Christmas craft, singing and dancing. Organising and distributing presents for children, helping Santa. Full engagement with families.

ICE-CREAM VAN
Friendly and very organised. Café experience preferred.
Jobs: Running of the van. Making ice-creams & waffles. Selling drinks and snacks, cashing up. Keeping the van clean and tidy and stocked.

HOLLY HUT – HOT DRINKS & INFORMATION POINT
Friendly and very organised. Café experience preferred.
Jobs: Preparing and serving hot drinks, keeping the area incredibly clean. Giving information about train times, puppet shows etc.

TOY SHOP
A new role this year. Responsible and Confident.
Jobs: Running of the toy shop. Selling toys & decorations as well as talking to customers. Restocking and making sure the shop always looks its best.

ASSISTANT TO MRS. CLAUS
Responsible and Hardworking.
Jobs: Helping Mrs Claus run the post office which includes helping children write their letters to Santa. Looking after Mrs Claus and running the post office in her absence.

PIAZZA PERFORMER
Acting skills required.
Jobs: Story-telling and performing. Entertaining and interacting with families, performing set pieces.

PLATFORM
Organised with good communication and performance skills.
Jobs: Getting passengers safely boarded and disembarked from the train. Keeping everything running on time, in charge of the clock and schedule. Cleaning in between trains. Entertaining the boarded passengers and hyping up the energy to get everyone excited to see Santa. Managing late families, ticket confusions, liaising with the Kiosk elf.

CAPTAIN (4-5 days a week. preference for 18+)
Management role. Organised, leadership skills.
Jobs: In control of the team at the Grotto. In charge of assigning daily roles, costumes for all the team, organising breaks, overseeing entire grottos clean routine as well as performing one of the Grotto roles. Making sure all elves are working and all customers are happy. Keeping daily reports of elves performances. Assisting the Head Elf with weekly rotas.

PUPPET SHOW
Part of a performance team; theatre experience preferred but not required
Jobs: Performing learned routine puppet show on the hour every hour. You will operate the hand puppets (training provided). Also in charge of keeping puppet theatre clean and tidy, helping seat audiences and support the main actor.

PANTO PERFORMER
Theatre performance required. Children’s entertainment / Panto experience preferred.
Fun and energetic, confident performer.
Jobs: Performing a pre-scripted show on the hour for 25 mins every hour. (The Puppets will take up 10-15 minutes of this time). You will host the show and engage with the crowd and then perform for the audience along with the puppets this involves getting children to engage with you as well as performing a set piece. Will rehearse with puppeteers and director the week before opening.

Working on The Santa Express was so enjoyable. It is great on my CV and to have Oakfield Park as a referee has really helped me to get placement during my studies. I would recommend it to anyone.

Elf from The Class of 2020

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

• How do I get to Oakfest?
Oakfest takes place at Oakfield Park, Raphoe, County Donegal on Saturday 10th and Sunday 11th September 20. Please see directions to Oakfield Park on our website.
https://www.oakfieldpark.com/information/

• Shuttle bus will be available to and from Letterkenny
Coach will leave McCafferty’s Bar Letterkenny and 1.30pm on Saturday 10th & Sunday 11th September. Bus will return from Oakfield Park at 10.30pm. Please confirm your name and how many people you would like to reserve a space for by emailing [email protected]. Bus is €7.50 return per person.

• Is Car Parking available? 
Please note Car parking is available on site. All vehicles to be removed by 10.45pm on Saturday and Sunday.

• Will the gardens be open as normal for non-ticketholders?
No, during ticketed events here in Oakfield Park, tickets must be presented on arrival to enter. The same applies during The Santa Express.

• What time does Oakfest start?
Gates open at 2pm on Saturday and Sunday, music begins at 2pm on Saturday and 2.20pm on Sunday.
Gates close at 10.30pm.

• Do I have to print my ticket?
Tickets will be scanned on arrival. Please print in advance or have available to scan from mobile phone. If you leave during the day please ensure your hand is stamped if re-entry is required. Weekend ticket holders will be issued with a wristband.

• Will the train be running at Oakfest?
The train will run on both days. Price is €7 for adults and €5 for children.

• Can I bring food or drink into the event?
No food or drink can be brought into the event. Please be aware that security will search everyone upon entry. There will be a fully licensed bar and food will be available onsite.

• Is there an ATM?
There will not be an ATM onsite. Card payment can be taken at every pay point.

• Are there baby changing facilities onsite?
Yes.

• Can I bring a chair?
Yes folding chairs are permitted but cannot be used inside tents.

• Can I bring my dog to Oakfest?
No, dogs are not permitted with the exception of assistance dogs.

• Are camping/campervan/caravan facilities available?
Overnight camping is not available at Oakfest, it is a day festival only and all vehicles must be removed by 10.45pm.

• Are there any age limits?
No, there is no age limit and everyone is welcome. Oakfest offers a range of family focused activities over the course of the two days. ID may be requested for bar purchases. Under 16’s must be accompanied by an adult.

Oakfest will proceed regardless of weather conditions so come prepared!
PLEASE DO NOT BRING: alcohol, glass objects, umbrellas, blades/scissors, razors, any animals, drones, BBQs, fireworks, flares.
Security staff will be present at the event and reserve the right refuse entry and to search bags and confiscate food and drink where appropriate.

Photography
All sound and moving or still picture rights including, without limitation, on the Internet, vest exclusively with the organisers of Oakfest at Oakfield Park and any material filmed or recorded at the Event may only be used for the personal, non-profit making enjoyment of amateurs. By entering the venue, Ticket Holders consent to being photographed, filmed or recorded as visitors attending the Event, and consent to the image or recording of them being used in future marketing material for the Event, or their sponsors.

The Santa Express in Oakfield Park is the most famous festive event in the northwest that everyone will love, both young and old.

A Magical Christmas Experience on a Real Santa Train for all the Family. An experience that will create forever memories and the most precious moments to cherish with your family.

Prior to your arrival we are here to answer any questions you might have: 

How do I get to The Santa Express?

Please see directions to Oakfield Park on our website.
https://www.oakfieldpark.com/information/

Is disabled car parking available?

Yes in the main carpark. State requirement on arrival and you will be directed to the correct parking area.

Please note that if you wish to make a booking for a person who uses a wheelchair, that we ask you to do so by emailing [email protected] and include your phone number so that we can call you back.

What age is the Santa Express suitable for?

The Santa Express is suitable for all ages and for all the family.

How long does the event last?

Please allow up to 2 hours to fit everything in. However once you purchase a particular date, you can come anytime during opening hours and stay for as long as you wish.

There are only 3 in my group – which compartment should I book?

You will need to book a compartment of 4 as this is our smallest compartment. However, we suggest that you bring someone along to fill your carriage as get maximum value. The same applies for a family of seven – you should book two four person compartments, and you can bring along up to eight people.

If myself or a member of my group can’t make it to the event, will I be refunded?

No unfortunately not, tickets are non-refundable. However, up to 24 hours prior to your arrival you can change the name on your booking via your universe login.

What happens if I am late and miss my train?

You must arrive AT LEAST 15 mins prior to train departure (15 mins earlier than your ticket start time). If you miss your train we cannot allow for late arrivals due to pre-booked schedules.

When is the event?

The event runs from 29th November until 23rd December 2023 although there are a few days off during December. Some days are longer than others with the first train either at 12.00 midday or 4.30pm.

What if I book an early time slot?

We recommend is that for early bookings, you arrive 15-30 minutes before your train time and do the other activities and get something to eat after at your leisure.

What if I book a later evening time slot?

For later evening bookings, we recommend that you arrive over an hour before your train time to fit in food and drink, fun and games before your train journey so that you’re ready to go after the train takes you back to the station.

Can I bring food or drink into the event?

No food or drink can be brought into the event, with the exception of baby food. There will be a fully licensed Bar and Restaurant, hot food stand and Ice Cream van onsite onsite.

Is there an ATM?

There will not be an ATM onsite. Card & €/£ cash payment accepted.

Are there baby changing facilities on site?

Yes, in the toilet block in the piazza.

We can’t wait for another magical Christmas experience at Oakfield Park. Set your reminders for Monday 28th August at 10am and get excited for the biggest Christmas event in the north west.

CLICK HERE TO BOOK YOUR TICKETS

Want to join the Oakfield Park team?

If you’re interested in working in beautiful gardens, in a bustling restaurant then look no further!

We offer a vibrant workplace with a varied, challenging, and exciting working experience, and we require people with energy, ability, and a great attention to detail.

To apply please email [email protected] or call 0749173910

We will give you a call back on the phone number on your CV if you’re a suitable candidate and we would like to meet you.

Seasonal Chef

• Sociable working hours
• Full training provided

Today is #WorldEarthDay and it’s all about highlighting way we can save our planet and be more sustainable. Here at Oakfield Park we strive to protect our planet How? By planting new trees, conserving water, supporting pollinators and using garden produce to create our Buffers menu. We all have a role to play and here are four ways you can help pollinators at home:

PLANT POLLINATOR FRIENDLY TREES

Native trees and shrubs such as Willow, Hawthorn, Rowan, Crab Apple, and Holly support huge numbers of insects including pollinators. Plant a young tree in the autumn or winter or grow them from seed.

CREATE NESTING HABITATS FOR POLLINATORS

Our ninety-nine species of wild pollinators nest in hedgerows, wild areas, dry stone walls, and even in the ground. To make a nesting habitat for them, just scrape back some bare earth, leave some areas to grow wild, or simply drill holes 10cm deep in unvarnished wood for solitary bees.

NECTAR AND POLLEN-RICH PLANTS FOR YOUR GARDEN

There are plenty of beautiful plants you can choose for your garden that are rich in nectar and pollen. Bidens and Bacopa are great bedding plants for small containers and hanging baskets; and herbs such as Thyme and Rosemary provide food for you as well as for pollinators. Make sure you keep these plants to your garden and don’t plant them in the wider landscape. Outside your garden, the best action for pollinators is to create biodiversity meadows and margins by reducing mowing.

SPREAD NATIVE WILDFLOWER SEEDS

Spread native wildflower seeds in your gardens!

Want to find out more about all the environmental practices at Oakfield Park? Check this out – OUR PRACTICES.

Oakfield Park is ready for the 2022 season! Excitement is building ahead of our re-opening this week. We can’t wait to welcome you all back! Re-opening on Wednesday 30th March, we have a bumper season of events and family days out planned. Oakfield Park will open from 12noon – 6pm Wednesday – Sunday in April and May. From June until August, we will be open seven days a week from 11am – 6pm, with some late evening openings for special events.

FIRST EVENT OF THE YEAR
While the Oakfield Park team is putting the final touches to the gardens for our first visitors of the year, we are also busy in the background planning for our first event of the year – Oakfield’s Easter Storybook. Taking place on Friday 15th, Saturday 16th, Sunday 17th and Monday 18th April, this exciting event will bring together your favourite characters from children’s storybook classics such as Alice in Wonderland, Hansel and Gretle, Little Red Riding Hood and Harry Potter, to name a few. Expect family games, face-painting, story-tellers, crafts, Easter egg trails and hunts, puppet shows and delicious craft food from Buffers. We’ll be launching more details on our social channels in the coming days and weeks, but be sure to pop this four-day Easter weekend into your diary for a must-do experience in Donegal this Easter!

Other events to keep an eye out for during 2022 include our annual family music festival Oakfest, our popular Teddy Bear’s Picnic event, Steam Sundays, Halloween, Buffers Nights foodie experience and our magical Harry Potter weekend.

NEW ADDITIONS
We always strive to bring new elements to the park for visitors to enjoy and over the last few years we’ve added a real life-size Maze, geodesic dome and art sculptures. New to Oakfield Park this year is the launch of a new self-propelled rail-cart that’s suitable for one or two people. We are also working on an educational nature table in the geodesic dome.

BUFFERS
For the first time since 2019, Buffers will reopen for indoor dining with a delicious menu filled with new additions and various options to suit everyone. Our outdoor dining will still also be available We are also very proud to say that our head chef has been working hard on the menu, and all kid’s options will be homemade, including our hand-cut chips. We’re also excited to announce that ‘Buffers Nights’ will return this year. This is a unique culinary foodie experience, inspired by seasonal local produce. Keep an eye on our social channels for details coming soon.

GROUPS & TOURS
We are now taking bookings for group tours, private functions and school tours for all ages. We can also arrange a special Nature Trail for school-going age groups.

2022 SEASONAL / GOLD PASSES
Our seasonal and gold passes are now available to purchase online or from Oakfield Park’s office. Offering excellent value for customers, they pay off after only a few visits. Find out more HERE.

For more information or to speak to a member of staff – call 074 91 73922 or email [email protected]. To keep up to date on news and special offers, follow us on social: Facebook and Instagram.