Smallwood Vintage Rally will start on a Friday for the first time later this month, due to the Queen’s platinum jubilee celebrations.
Thousands normally attend the three-day event, usually held on the spring bank holiday weekend at the end of May, on fields off Love Lane and the A50.
But as this year’s long weekend has been switched to the first weekend in June so the country can join in with the jubilee celebrations, the vintage rally is being held on Friday, Saturday and Sunday, 27th, 28th, 29th May.
As the date move is a one-off organisers have decided that the Friday will be a half-price concession day. Gates will open at 9am and the entry fee is £5 (children free) all day and into the evening – “ideal for those wanting a quieter experience, however, all our trade stands will be open, there will be lots to see,” said organisers.
There will be a free-to-enter morning collective auction, hosted by Barbers over at Love Lane Farm, and the Cheshire K9 dog training display team will stage demonstrations in the show field arena during the day.
From 2pm onwards, the fairground and tractor pulling demonstration will begin and continue well into the evening, ideal for families going along after school.
A full show programme can be enjoyed on the Saturday and Sunday when gates will again open at 9am.
Some of the highlights will include monster truck displays in the arena twice daily, vehicle shows, steam parades, dog and duck fun, steam rides, military arena displays and meet and greet characters.
If that is not enough the Magic Ball Man will make an appearance and there will be eclectic mix of almost 50 vintage caravans and campers, and flypasts from the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight vintage WWII planes each afternoon.
Back on the ground, spectators will be entertained by the Pantonic Steel Band on the Saturday and Sandbach’s award-winning champion Foden’s Brass Band on the Sunday.
There will also be a range of vintage and modern commercial vehicles, vintage tractors, motorcycles and cars on display plus lots more to see and do for all ages.
On the showground will be a range of hand-picked food stalls, many of them local vendors, a craft and model marquee, fairground organs and the famous Smallwood Rally beach and donkeys.
Admission for adults on the Saturday and Sunday is £10 (free admission for children of school age, 15 and under, accompanied by a full paying adult).
Any day visitors on the show field are more than welcome to stay into the evening. Entry after 5pm will be £5 (hand stamps do not count for re-entry after 5pm).
Camping in the car park will not be permitted; all onsite public camping is now fully booked. Dogs are welcome on a lead.
Organisers thanked sponsors Hamptons Scrap Metal, Tidysite, Ashbrook, the NFU and Haslington Haulage for their “very generous support” as well as everyone who contributed to the show in any way.
Special mention went to the Rode Heath Scout team, “invaluable” to the show, as well as the Bull’s Head Pub for its support and to the vintage rally’s new partnership with Halton Farm at Moreton-Cum-Alcumlow, which is providing on-site provisions for all exhibitors.
For all vintage rally enquiries, email ruthlancaster5@aol.com.
