Torbay Steam Fair 2019

Guest Blog Post - Sandie Armstrong (Show Secretary - Torbay Steam Fair)

Torbay Steam Fair –2^nd, 3^rd & 4^th August 2019

A Premier Torbay Event

Now celebrating the 33^rd Annual Torbay Steam Fair we have progressed from the use of two small fields and a one day show to an area about six times as large. Exhibits have multiplied beyond all expectations and we have expanded to a three day show – making it one of the largest events to be staged in Torbay and all run by volunteers.

We are expecting over 40 steam engines to attend, together with hundreds of other exhibits from Vintage & Veterans Cars, Motor Bikes, Commercial & Military Vehicles, Tractors and Stationary Engines.

The main exhibit will be the Steam Locomotive 3205 – the sole surviving member of Class 2251 Collet 0-6-0 kindly on loan from the South Devon Railway.

Our aim is to keep history alive so a major part of the show ensures working demonstrations of Threshing Corn, Wood Sawing, Steam Ploughing, Road Making and Heavy Haulage – “as it twer in Grandfer’s Day”.

In addition there are Model and Craft Tents, Trade Stands, Tea Tent, Beer and Music Marquee and the renowned Bridge Farm Cider tent, together with a large range of catering units to cater for all tastes from Asian food to pasties.

The vintage fairground includes Billy Bowry’s Skid, built in 1932 and voted the best ride at the famous Nottingham Goose Fair, the largest fairground gathering in the country.

There is also plenty of Children’s Entertainment – from Circus Skills to Donkey Rides and their welfare is to the forefront with the help of Mama Bears Day Nursery staff on hand.

The show gates open at 9.30am Friday, Saturday and Sunday for the Steam Fair but the long weekend kicks off with a Music and Beer Festival on Thursday 1^st August from 7.00pm.

There is plenty of free car parking on site with disabled parking and a limited number of disability scooters available. Dogs on leads are allowed.

We now have a public camping area with visitors from all over the country staying for the weekend –which has become so popular you have to book very early to ensure a space.