List of steam fairs

A steam fair or (steam rally) is a regular organised gathering of historic steam-powered vehicles and machinery, open to the public. Typical exhibits include: traction engines, steam rollers, steam wagons, and steam cars. Often, the scope is widened to include other historic exhibits such as stationary engines, internal-combustion -powered road transport, agricultural and construction vehicles, working horses, woodcraft and the like.

A typical steam fair consists of:

  • A parade ring or track in which vehicles may be demonstrated
  • Trade and craft stalls related to the exhibits
  • Areas where vehicles may be examined more closely and the public may talk to owners and operators
  • Entertainment areas (often, a beer tent) with food, drink, and evening music
  • A fairground area may also be included in the event

The following is a geographic list of these gatherings, some of which are referred to as rallies or as festivals. The list does not include static steam museums unless they host a particular event that falls into the classification.

In addition there are some travelling shows powered by steam. Where these are referred to as steam fairs they are included in the list.

Australia

Canada

Ireland

Netherlands

  • Dordt in Stoom, Dordrecht - (1985- ) bi-annual large event in and around the historic harbour district with steam powered ships, trains, river boats and other engines.[4]

Poland

Steam locomotive parade in Wolsztyn
  • Wolsztyn(1993- ) annual steam locomotive parade held the last weekend of April near a historic roundhouse
  • Chabówka(2005- ) "Parowozjada" - steam locomotive parade held the last weekend of August in a railway museum near the railway station

United Kingdom

Great Dorset Steam Fair: night-time view of the line-up of 40+ showman's engines, in the vintage fairground section

Static events

EventLocationYears activeNotes
1000 Engine Rally[5]Chelford, Cheshire1985-staged in June
Abbey Hill Steam RallyYeovil, Somerset1980-
Astle Park Traction Engine Rally[6]Chelford, Cheshirestaged in August
Barton Gate Charity Steam Rally[7]Barton Gate, Barton-under-Needwood, Staffordshire1995-
Boconnoc Steam Fair [8]Cornwall1998-
Burtonwood AirfieldLancashire1970s-1980s
Cadeby Steam & Country Fayre[9][10]Mallory Park, Kirkby Mallory, Leicestershire1964-200844 years
Castle CombeCastle Combe, Wiltshireheld in May
Cambridgeshire Steam RallySwavesey2009-
Chickerell Steam and Vintage Show[11]Chickerell, Dorset2004-
Cromford Steam Rally[12]Brackenfield, Derbyshire38 years (as of 2008)
Dacorum Steam & Country Fayre[13]Dacorum, Hertfordshire2007-
Great Dorset Steam FairDorset1968-
Grand Henham Steam RallyHenham Park, Blythburgh, Suffolk1974-
Haddenham Steam Rally and Heavy Horse Show[14]Haddenham, Cambridgeshire1974-
Holcot Steam Rally & Country Fair[15]Holcot, Northamptonshire11th year (2008)
Hollowell Steam Rally and Heavy Horse Show[16]Hollowell, Northamptonshire1986-
Hollycombe Steam Collection[17]Liphook, Hampshire1971-
Island Steam Show[18]Isle of Wight Steam Railway1975-
Kettering Vintage Rally & Steam Fayre[19]Kettering, Northamptonshire2000-
Knowl Hill Steam RallyKnowl Hill, Berkshirec1969-2004
Lincolnshire Steam and Vintage Rally[20]Lincolnshire23rd year (2008)
Market Bosworth Steam RallyCadeby, Leicestershire
Netley Marsh Steam and Craft Fair[21]Netley Marsh, Hampshire1971-
Northleach Steam & Vintage Show[22]Northleach, Gloucestershirec1950s-
Mosterton Summer ShowMosterton, DorsetLatest Rally - 2 & 3 July 2011
Much Marcle Steam RallyMuch Marcle, Herefordshire1986-
Ringmer Steam & Country Show[23]Ringmer, East Sussex2003-
Rudgwick Steam & Country Show[24]Rudgwick, West Sussex1987-
Rushmoor Steam Rally[25]Rushmoor Arena, Aldershot, Hampshire-c1991
Somerset Steam SpectacularLow Ham, Somerset52nd year. mid July (2011)
Scorton SteamScorton, Lancashire2005-held on third weekend in June
Shrewsbury Steam RallyShropshire1962-Late August Bank Holiday Sunday and Monday (Organised by The County of Salop Steam Engine Society)
Silloth Vintage RallySilloth Green, Silloth-on-Solway, Cumbria2000-held on third weekend in July
Stoke Prior Steam RallyBromsgrove, WorcestershireHeld in September, Latest Rally 16-17 September 2023
Tavistock Steam Fair[26]Tavistock, Devon
Torbay Steam Fair[27]Torbay, Devon1987-
Welland Steam & Country Rally[28]Welland, Worcestershire1964-
Wiston Steam Rally[29]West Sussex2011-
Wrotham Classic Steam and Transport Rally[30]Wrotham, Kent1979-staged yearly

Travelling shows

United States

Steam tractor lineup at the 2010 Old Thresher's Reunion.

See also

Notes

(Old Glory also publishes a 'Free' paper version at the start of each year listing UK Events.)