THOUSANDS of people are set to flock to north Dorset for the Great Dorset Steam Fair this weekend.
The fair is billed as one of the world’s largest heritage events and will see visitors treated to a host of activities, entertainment and displays.
Here’s your guide to everything you need to know.
When is it?
The Great Dorset Steam Fair takes place between Thursday, August 25 and bank holiday Monday, August 29.
Where is it?
The fair takes place at Tarrant Hinton which is located near Blandford.
What is there to see?
Attractions include heavy haulage road locomotives, steam tractors, steam lorries, miniature steam engines, historic and classic motor vehicles, craft marquees, a food hall, stunt displays, World War 1 and 2 commemorations, heavy horses, a fairground and more.
What's where?
Arena 1 - heavy haulage arena
There wil be activity and demonstrations every day from 11am to 6pm (and until 5pm on Monday) involving heavy haulage with steam road locomotives, steam tractors, steam lorries and general purpose steam engines, steam timber loading and winching, steam rollers, steam cars and miniature steam, diesel heavy haulage vehicles, railway locomotive loading/unloading and charity trailer rides.
Arena 2
11am Xtreme Stunt Team – 4 Rider Pre 1965 Show
11.45am Big Pete & Grim Reaper Monster Truck Team
12.30pm Paul Hannam Quad Bike Stunt Show
1.15pm Vintage & Classic Motorcycles (Pre 1970)
2.15pm Vintage Cars (Pre 1970)
3.30pm Xtreme Stunt Team – 4 Rider Pre 1965 Show
4.15pm Big Pete & Grim Reaper Monster Truck Team
5pm Paul Hannam Quad Bike Stunt Show
Sunday Evening Bonanza from 7.00pm featuring all above stunt teams.
Arena 3 - The Sid Wallace Heavy Horse Ring
Heavy Horse Displays - 10am to 5pm Thursday, Friday and Saturday and bank holiday Monday
Heavy Horse Show Day - 8.30am to 5pm Sunday
Arena 4
11am Vintage Tractors
12.30pm Vintage Plant
2pm Military Vehicles
3.30pm Commercial Vehicles
Countryside Arena
10.30am The Dorset Axemen
11.10am The Sheep Show
11.50am CJ’s Birds of Prey
12.30pm Wild in the Country (ferret racing)
1.10pm The Dorset Axemen
1.50pm The Sheep Show
2.30pm CJ’s Birds of Prey
3.10pm Wild in the Country (ferret racing)
3.50pm The Sheep Show
4.30pm The Dorset Axemen
What music can I enjoy?
A host of acts will perform across seven stages during the day and late into the night.
Acts include Lady Winwoods Maggot, Skimmity Hitchers, Rockin the Joint, Mother Ukers and Blackwater County.
Don't miss The Wurzels on the Friday night between 10.45pm and midnight.
What's new for this year?
UPDATE: this attraction will now no longer be appearing
Read more: White-knuckle ride cancelled for Steam Fair over "electrical issues"
Thrillseekers can enjoy the Rocket Ride, the tallest travelling white knuckle ride in the UK at 70 metres high, which will be making its UK debut at the show.
A Great Dorset Steam Fair spokesperson said: "In the centre of the fairground, you won't miss this mammoth of a ride."
How much does entry cost?
Tickets are available through the Great Dorset Steam Fair website at gdsf.co.uk.
Five-day tickets:
£105 for adults aged 16 to 59, £95 for aged 60 and over, £30 for children aged 6 to 15, free for under 6s
Day tickets:
£25 for adults aged 16 to 59, £22.50 for seniors aged 60 and over, £9 for children aged six to 15, free for under 6s
Monday tickets:
£15 for adults aged 16 to 59, £15 for seniors, Free for children aged 6 to 15 Evening tickets £12 for adults aged 16 to 59 and for seniors, free for under 16s
How do I get there?
By train: The nearest station is Salisbury with a direct bus route to the showground.
By bus: Damory coach company will be providing buses that go direct to the Great Dorset Steam Fair site from Salisbury and Blandford.
What food and drink can I enjoy?
Foodies can tuck into the likes of Indian, Oriental, Mexican, crepes, pizza, hog roast/carvery, steaks, Cornish pasties, jacket potatoes, toasted sandwiches, ploughman’s, fish and chips and hot dogs.
While inside the food hall marquees, you'll find freshly baked bread, cakes and pastries, homemade speciality sausages and pies, strawberries, cream teas, local jams, cheeses, pickles and ploughman’s lunches.
Is there camping?
Yes, pre-paid camping is an option if you’d like to stay and each year it accommodates 5,000 individual caravans and tents etc.
Pre-paid campsites open from 8am on Tuesday, August 23 and close at midday on Tuesday, August 30.
For a standard unit, it will cost £25 per night excluding the cost of admission tickets to the show.
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