10th & 11th August 2024
Astle Park, Chelford, Cheshire, SK11 9AD
INTRODUCTION TO THE EVENT
Full steam ahead for this year’s Astle Park Traction Engine Rally! Set in magnificent parkland, this spectacular and longstanding event is one of Cheshire’s biggest steam and vintage events, featuring non-stop arena entertainment.
See huge displays of exhibits from all over the UK including traction engines, magnificent showman’s engines and fairground organs, all creating a traditional steam rally atmosphere. Also visit displays of vintage/classic vehicles including cars, commercials, Series 1 Land Rovers, motorcycles, tractors, military vehicles and various working displays.
Join us for a fantastic family day out or weekend break camping onsite, with vintage and modern fun fairs, falconry, children’s inflatables etc, various catering outlets, trade stands to browse and much more. Relax on Saturday night in the licensed bar with live music performances and later don’t miss the amazing firework display.
WHAT’S ON
Traction engines are self-propelled steam engines invented in the 1800s for any form of haulage with many being used in agriculture.
On display there will be various types of steam engines; the showman’s road locomotives (designed to provide power and transport for a travelling funfair), rollers, tractors, buses, lorries etc, manufactured by Burrell, Fowler, Foden, Aveling & Porter and many others. Along with the static line-up, the engines also take to the main arena each day to showcase history in all its glory, a fantastic sight to see!
Mechanical organs come in various guises ranging from fairground organs designed for use in travelling fairs and circuses to provide loud music, through to dance organs for ballrooms which are much quieter, and street organs operated by an organ grinder. Please email us closer to the event if you wish to obtain a list of the organs attending.
Visit the Classic Car Section and see vintage and classic cars made from very early 1900 through to the 1970s, Wolseley, Rover, Morris, Jaguar, Austin, Buick, Chevrolet and many other makes including the very popular and the less well-known. The cars also do a parade around the main arena each day.
An impressive line-up of veteran, vintage and classic motorcycles will be on display made by popular manufacturers BSA, Triumph, Matchless, Honda, Ariel and many others together with the lesser-known makes like Motubi, Rudge and Excelsior amongst others. As well as the static display, the motorcycles take part in a parade in the main arena each day.
See amazing flying shows and static displays from Owl Adventures, featuring majestic birds of prey that will entertain and stimulate, while at the same time encouraging audience participation.
The performance is unique and packed with expertise, showmanship and laughter to create an unmissable show. Also visit the Jungle Animal Encounter to see exotic creatures and hold creepy millipedes and scaly lizards amongst other jungle critters!
There will be two presentations each day.
On Saturday night the Honda Goldwings Light Parade will be taking place at dusk in the Main Arena.
This select group of motorcycles and trikes is a not-to-be-missed display, featuring the brightest of neon lights and many equipped with state-of-the-art music systems.
These Goldwings are great to see, with riders and pillions getting in the spirit with a variety of weird and wonderful fancy dress costumes, all adding to the unique atmosphere before the magnificent firework display.
Sand Art is an experience, rather than just a product. We provide a fun and exciting way to entertain both children and adults. With our SandArtNW activity stations, children get hands on to create amazing pictures with brightly coloured sand. We then put the finished picture in a sleeve and the participant can take it home with them.
SandArtNW picture workshops are entertaining, educational, and inspiring whilst they encourage creativity, imagination, concentration, artistic abilities and also help to develop fine motor skills. SandArtNW picture workshops are fully inclusive and are especially suitable for children with disabilities and special needs to enjoy an activity alongside everyone else.
Vintage and classic tractors on display from various manufacturers including John Deere, Massey Ferguson, Ford, David Brown, International, Leyland and Allis Chalmers plus others. Together with the static display, the tractors take part in a main arena parade each day giving enthusiasts the opportunity to see them on the move.
Stationary engines are used to drive immobile machinery, such as pumps, generators, mills etc and a variety of these working engines will be on display. Some will have been made as early as 1900.
See demonstrations using a rack saw bench, drag saw, flour mill and threshing set.
Also see the chainsaw carving, as works of art are created from a single piece of wood.
See an array of miniature steam engines – some built from scratch and some built from kits. Various scaled-down models which join the full-sized engines in their arena parades or see them in the static display.
Vintage commercial vehicle display including lorries, buses and fire engines from a variety of manufacturers; Dodge, Chevrolet, Bedford, ERF, Foden, Land Rover, Scammell and many more. Exhibits will range from early 1920s to 1980 and will participate in main arena parades each day.
A wide range of military vehicles will be on display. Exhibits include Land Rovers, trucks, ambulances, jeeps and, on occasions, tanks.
A visit to the vintage fairground is a must for all the family. Rides and activities to suit everyone – some good old-fashioned entertainment.
A display of early Land Rovers from 1948 to 1958. There will be approximately 35 Series 1 Land Rovers on display.
Children’s corner will include some/all of the following attractions: inflatables and bungee trampolines.
Please contact Outdoor Shows if you require confirmation.
Wander around a wide variety of trade stands from clothing, workwear, footwear, garden furniture, tool stalls, toys, jewellery, fine foods, pet supplies and many more.
Browse the autojumble to find a whole host of things you didn’t know you wanted or needed. Find that missing item or parts/spares that you cannot find anywhere else!
There will also be antique and collectables stalls at the event.
A wide variety of hand made crafts on sale. Organised by Dave Harrison of Kingfisher Craft Fairs. To book a table please call 07778 473404, email: craftykingfisher@aol.com or visit: https://craftykingfisher.wixsite.com/website
Experience some of the latest white knuckle rides.
The licensed bar will be open for the duration of the event, plus additional times on Thursday, Friday and Saturday night for traders, exhibitors and onsite campers.
The licensed bar is in a large marquee overlooking the arena with ample seating and tables and there will be live music performances on stage on Friday and Saturday night.
Catering units will be onsite selling a good variety of hot and cold food and drinks to suit all the family.
A wide variety of produce on sale. Organised by Dave Harrison of Kingfisher Craft Fairs. To book a table please call 07778 473404, email: craftykingfisher@aol.com or visit: https://craftykingfisher.wixsite.com/website
Commentator: Mr Bryn Mallion
Timetable subject to ground conditions
Fantastic Firework display at dusk, 9.45pm approximately
Friday
The Backbeats
From 8pm
Saturday
Dr. Busker
From 8.30pm
From 8.30pm: The one and only ‘Dr. Busker’
Dr Busker will be performing live on stage at Astle Park Traction Engine Rally on Saturday night. Steve, as he is known to his friends, is an accomplished pianist and vocalist and has a passion for old time songs combined with a love of vintage transport. Hence it was at steam rallies where he became known as Dr Busker and his music reflects this heritage.
Enjoy a ‘good old knees up’ with this steam fair legend, his gig (performed in Victorian period costume) starts at 8.30pm in the bar marquee. Also on Saturday night, see the incredible firework display (9.45pm approx).
Available for Tents, Trailer Tents, Caravans and Motorhomes. Camping must be prebooked.
VISITOR INFORMATION
OPENING TIMES
Gates open 10am – 11pm (Saturday)
Gates open 10am – 5pm (Sunday)
FREE CAR PARK
Dogs welcome on a lead
COACH TOUR OPERATORS
Tickets are available to coach tour operators at a 40% DISCOUNTED PRICE on a pre-booked basis. Minimum 16 tickets per booking. Onsite parking is available to coaches that have pre-booked. Up to two drivers per coach will gain free entry to the event.
Download your application form by clicking on the PDF icon
MOBILITY SCOOTER HIRE
Mobility Scooters are available to hire on a daily or weekend hire basis.
For reservations please contact Professional Mobility, Freephone: 0800 6335711 or on mobile (especially on show days) 07989 680034.
BUY ADMISSION TICKETS
Early Bird Ticket Prices (available until 10 days prior to the event):
Adults £10
Over 65s £8
Under 16s £5
Under 5s FREE
Family Ticket (2 adults + 3 under 16s) £25
Ticket Prices (available from 10 days prior to the event and on the day):
Adults £12
Over 65s £10
Under 16s £6
Under 5s FREE
Family Ticket (2 adults + 3 under 16s) £30
Please note at some of our shows tickets are checked and/or sold when you arrive at the venue whilst still in your car (prior to parking). Therefore can you either have your tickets or payment method ready when you arrive at the venue.
CARAVAN & CAMPING
CARAVAN, MOTORHOME OR CAMPING
You can pre-book your site for the weekend and full unlimited access to the event for up to 2 adults and 3 under 16s. You can Arrive from midday Thursday 8th August and depart 10am Monday 12th August (subject to the duration of your booking).
There is Water, Toilets, Elsan Point and pre-booked electric hook-up on the camping area.
Closing Date for Online Applications: 02/08/24 or until all camping sites are sold. (Please note there are a limited number of pitches, the event may sell out before this date).
Please note the camping area has sold out prior to booking deadline for the last 4 years.
POSTAL APPLICATIONS
Although our online caravan & camping booking system is safe and secure, some people prefer to book by post. If you wish to book via a postal application, please download the form by clicking on the PDF logo below.
Closing Date for Postal Applications: 29/04/24
Click the icon to download the Caravan & Camping Postal Application Form.
TRADE WITH US
TRADERS
From car dealers to agricultural stands, garden furniture to tool stands, clothing to footwear, there will be a wide variety of trade stands at the event.
All stand space is 12 metres deep. You can camp on your pitch if you wish. Please ensure you book enough space to accommodate your stand, vehicle and any form of accommodation.
The sale of hot food, alcohol to be consumed onsite, sweets and ice cream is not permitted as trading concessions are already in place for this event.
Online Booking Deadline: 02/08/24
POSTAL APPLICATIONS
Although our online trade booking system is safe and secure, some people prefer to book by post. If you wish to book via a postal application, please download the form by clicking on the PDF logo below.
Postal Booking Deadline: 19/07/24
Click the icon to download the Trade Postal Application Form.
EXHIBIT WITH US
VINTAGE & Classic Car
ENTRY FORM
For an Entry Form contact:
Lydia Wisuasti
Tel: 07398 068999
classiccaroutdoorshow89@gmail.com
or click on pdf icon above to download application form
COMMERCIAL VEHICLE
ENTRY FORM
For an Entry Form contact:
Clive and Lorna Allman
Tel: 07773 948472
or email: L4rna@aol.com
Classic Motorcycle
Entry Form
For an Entry Form contact:
Peter Taylor
Tel: 07919 688257
VINTAGE TRACTOR
ENTRY Form
For an Entry Form contact:
Mr P Bourne
Tel: 07788 801239
or email: fodenforever@gmail.com
STEAM ENGINES
ENTRY Form
For an Entry Form contact:
Adrian Barber
Tel: 07879 485548
or email: astleparkrally@gmail.com
FAIRGROUND ORGANS
ENTRY Form
For an Entry Form contact:
Outdoor Shows Ltd
Tel: 01751 200839
or email: info@outdoorshows.co.uk
MILITARY VEHICLES
ENTRY Form
For an Entry Form contact:
Ian Burman
Tel: 07778 147643
or email: burmanmilitary@aol.com
STATIONARY ENGINES
ENTRY Form
For an Entry Form contact:
Ray Hurdus
Tel: 07802 783869
or email: ray.hurdus@aol.co.uk
MINIATURE STEAM ENGINES
ENTRY FORM
CLASSIC CARAVANS & AWNING DISPLAYS ENTRY FORM
For an Entry Form contact:
Dave Grimes
Tel: 07587 226545
or email: vdub384@gmail.com
SERIES 1 LANDROVER
ENTRY Form
For an Entry Form contact:
Jon Dobson
Tel: 07895 915827
or email: dobson.lathom@btinternet.com
