List of steam fairs

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

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 fairs 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 fairgrounds 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.[5]

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

More information Event, Location ...
Event Location Years active Notes
1000 Engine Rally[6] Chelford, Cheshire 1985- staged in June
Abbey Hill Steam Rally Yeovil, Somerset 1980-
Astle Park Traction Engine Rally[7] Chelford, Cheshire staged in August
Barton Gate Charity Steam Rally[8] Barton Gate, Barton-under-Needwood, Staffordshire 1995-
Boconnoc Steam Fair [9] Cornwall 1998-
Burtonwood Airfield Lancashire 1970s-1980s
Cadeby Steam & Country Fayre[10][11] Mallory Park, Kirkby Mallory, Leicestershire 1964-2008 44 years
Castle Combe Castle Combe, Wiltshire held in May
Cambridgeshire Steam Rally Swavesey 2009-
Chickerell Steam and Vintage Show[12] Chickerell, Dorset 2004-
Cromford Steam Rally[13] Brackenfield, Derbyshire 38 years (as of 2008)
Dacorum Steam & Country Fayre[14] Dacorum, Hertfordshire 2007-
Great Dorset Steam Fair Dorset 1968‒2024
Grand Henham Steam Rally Henham Park, Blythburgh, Suffolk 1974-
Haddenham Steam Rally and Heavy Horse Show[15] Haddenham, Cambridgeshire 1974-
Holcot Steam Rally & Country Fair[16] Holcot, Northamptonshire 11th year (2008)
Hollowell Steam Rally and Heavy Horse Show[17] Hollowell, Northamptonshire 1986-
Hollycombe Steam Collection[18] Liphook, Hampshire 1971-
Island Steam Show[19] Isle of Wight Steam Railway 1975-
Kettering Vintage Rally & Steam Fayre[20] Kettering, Northamptonshire 2000-
Knowl Hill Steam Rally Knowl Hill, Berkshire c1969-2004
Lincolnshire Steam and Vintage Rally[21] Lincolnshire 23rd year (2008)
Market Bosworth Steam Rally Cadeby, Leicestershire
Netley Marsh Steam and Craft Fair[22] Netley Marsh, Hampshire 1971-
Northleach Steam & Vintage Show[23] Northleach, Gloucestershire c1950s-
Mosterton Summer Show Mosterton, Dorset Latest Rally - 2 & 3 July 2011
Much Marcle Steam Rally Much Marcle, Herefordshire 1986-
Ringmer Steam & Country Show[24] Ringmer, East Sussex 2003-
Rudgwick Steam & Country Show[25] Rudgwick, West Sussex 1987-
Rushmoor Steam Rally[26] Rushmoor Arena, Aldershot, Hampshire -c1991
Somerset Steam Spectacular Low Ham, Somerset 52nd year. mid July (2011)
Scorton Steam Scorton, Lancashire 2005- held on third weekend in June
Shrewsbury Steam Rally Shropshire 1962- Late August Bank Holiday Sunday and Monday (Organised by The County of Salop Steam Engine Society)
Silloth Vintage Rally Silloth Green, Silloth-on-Solway, Cumbria 2000- held on third weekend in July
Stoke Prior Steam Rally Bromsgrove, Worcestershire Held on the Third Weekend in September, Latest Rally 20-21 September 2025
Tavistock Steam Fair[27] Tavistock, Devon
Torbay Steam Fair[28] Torbay, Devon 1987-
Welland Steam & Country Rally[29] Welland, Worcestershire 1964-
Wiston Steam Rally[30] West Sussex 2011-
Wrotham Classic Steam and Transport Rally[31] Wrotham, Kent 1979- staged yearly
Close

Travelling shows

United States

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

See also

Notes

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