With only a few days to go before the gates of Galway Racecourse open to welcome hundreds of vintage and classic cars, tractors, motorbikes, steam engines and much more, it already promises to be the biggest show held in Ireland in 2022. So far there are over twenty vintage and classic clubs from all over Ireland registered to display – as well as the local Western Veteran & Vintage Motor Club and Kiltulla & District Vintage Club, there are clubs travelling from as far away as Carlow, Limerick, Kilkenny, Dublin, Meath, Louth and Donegal. Making the trip west for Classic Fest, these clubs will bring with them an array of cars and exhibits, including displays of individual marques like the Ford Cortina, Jaguar, Ford Capri, Toyota, TVR as well as the Mercedes-Benz Club, who have the largest stand space reserved for fifty cars.
As well as the clubs, there are also lots of individual vintage and classic cars already entered, and they will be parked in two designated areas for pre-and post-1980 models. Other displays will include motorbikes, stationary engines and smaller exhibits, while a large display of tractors from clubs right across the west will include the Kiltulla & District Club and the Dunmore Vintage Club, who are announcing a unique upcoming tractor run. Likewise, the London-to-Mayo Extreme Tractor Run group will exhibit some of the tractors that took place in their recent London-to-Mayo run. And, lovers of steam engines will be delighted by a number travelling from Co. Tyrone, Co. Cork and some others are to be confirmed, with full-size, half-size and miniature engines all going on display.
Event organisers Irish Vintage Scene will have a stand at the event dedicated to vehicles that have featured in their popular monthly magazine over its sixteen-year history, making this an unmissable opportunity to see these up close and in person and perhaps even have a chat with their owners.
The day isn’t all about vintage and classic vehicles though, as there will be trade stalls, traditional butter-making and other side shows to enjoy, as well as an indoor diecast and scale model display with up to twenty exhibitors already confirmed, many from the local Galway Model Club; alongside the traditional diecasts and kits there will be Lego displays and model trains running.
The live-action will continue with live music all day, with Loughrea band The CEOs taking to the stage at 11 am, followed by well-known Galway band The Lewd Tunes at 2 pm. At 3.30 pm the all-important All-Ireland hurling semi-final will be shown live on a big screen, and last but not least, for the younger ones a full day of FREE entertainment is in store, including a magic show by Pat’s Tricks four times during the day. Pat will also be out and about tricking a few adults, so beware! The stilt walkers, balloon modellers and face painters will all be in action from 11 am throughout the day, and a free Classic Fun Zone will feature giant Jenga, foosball, a hoopla stall, giant Connect-Four and much more.
As well as being a great day out, proceeds from Classic Fest will be going in support of two amazing charities. The first is Féileacáin, the Stillbirth & Neonatal Death Association of Ireland, while the second is Brú Columbanus, which provides home-from-home accommodation for families of patients in Cork hospitals. Classic Fest organiser Tom Heavey and his family experienced great support from these two charities earlier this year and they are close to their hearts, so they are delighted to be able to give something back.
Classic Fest takes place in Galway Racecourse this Sunday (3rd July ) and opens to the public at 10 am. Tickets will be available at the gate, or you can buy online in advance for priority access with no queuing at www.irishvintagescene.ie
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