GREAT DORSET STEAM FAIR CONCERT PAVILION

As part of our 40th show celebrations we have decided to upgrade our Main Entertainment Pavilion into a Concert Pavilion with some superb bands performing each evening. (Please see the Concert page for details of the bands performing)

The Concert Pavilion will have an increased capacity, professional stage and the best sound and lighting to make you feel you are at any other concert venue.

Over the years Charles Hancock from Chase Bars Ltd who has run all the bars and entertainment on the showground has found it increasingly difficult to upgrade the music and entertainment as costs for all the beer tents have been rising due to changes in Licensing legislation. Beer sales have actually been decreasing so less money is available to spend on entertainment.

Evening entertainment is a very important part of the show and a large number of people come to the show to enjoy the evening atmosphere and entertainment. So this year we have decided the only way we could put on a range of better bands is by making a charge for entry to the Concert marquee.

You will see that we have two categories, a concert / evening admission ticket and a concert only ticket for Exhibitors / Day ticket holders. Both tickets represent amazing value with the evening admission and concert ticket providing an additional discount on the cost of evening entry. The prices have been designed to cover the costs and not as a profit making exercise. If you went to watch the Bootleg Beatles at another venue for example you could expect to pay between £20-£25 a ticket.  You can see that we are offering fantastic value as you are also able to enjoy all the other evening activities, at the Steam Fair including all the other entertainment marquees.

We value your support and hope that you will understand the reasons for making a charge for our Concert Pavilion.

If you are interested in seeing one of the bands perform in the Concert Pavilion we would recommend that you book your ticket as early as possible as we are expecting a huge demand for a limited number of tickets.

NEW SPONSORS
We are pleased to welcome "Courage Best Bitter " as our main sponsor, this being the third year of our three year sponsorship deal 2006 - 2008. Courage Best, is supplied to us by the Scottish & Newcastle group (S & N UK), a partner brewer of the brand owners Wells & Young's. We are looking forward to working with them once again.

We also welcome two secondary sponsors,"Vintage Spirit" magazine and "Old Glory" magazine. I’m sure both publications are familiar to all you die hard steam fans.

We are very pleased to have all sponsors on board with us in 2008.

40th Anniversary Celebrations

2008 sees the show in its 40th year and to celebrate this milestone we have decided, as our special theme this year, to recreate the very first Great Dorset Steam Fair, then known as "The Great Working of Steam Engines". An area of the showground will be set aside for this display and we hope to have as many of the original exhibits as possible to give a truly amazing picture of how it all started and how the show has grown over the years. This special display will be sponsored by Old Glory magazine.

50 Year Celebration of Massey Ferguson Tractors

Tractor & Machinery magazine (one of Kelsey Publishing's top rural titles) in association with the two tractor clubs, the Friends of Ferguson Heritage Ltd and The Ferguson Club will be hosting a special 50 year celebration display of Massey Ferguson tractors at this year's show.

The display will chart MF history, showing the evolution and development of a brand that quickly became a global leader - with such famous models as the iconic MF35 and MF 135 tractors.

Shuttle Bus Service

For the second year we plan to have a shuttle bus service operating a hop on and off service around the perimeter of the showground. The service was a great success last year and many people explored areas of the showground they had never found before. (A small charge will apply for this service.)

Friends Association

If you would like to become a member of our new Friends Association and receive quarterly news letters, attend social occasions and receive other benefits then please find out more by contacting the Show Office on 01258 860361. We would be delighted to send you some information or you can book membership on line via our website.

2007 show DVD

The 2007 show DVD is now available. With a running time of two hours, the DVD provides excellent coverage of the show capturing the unique mix of nostalgia, sights, sounds and smells that is the Great Dorset Steam Fair. If you would like to order a copy at £19.95 inc p & p please contact the Show Office. Alternatively order on-line via our website.

Countryside Arena

A new arena was introduced in 2007 for rural displays and proved to be very successful. Named the "Countryside Arena", this will again feature at the 2008 show with displays including the Bob Hogg Sheepdogs, The Chris O'Donnell Eagle and Vulture Show and the Adams Axemen.

Specialist Restoration Services Marquee

Over the years we have listened to suggestions made by some specialist companies to create an area away from the standard trade aisles during the show. In answer to their requests, 2007 saw the launch of the Specialist Restoration Services Marquee. The marquee highlights some of the specialist skills, tools and services essential to the varied aspects of restoration and engineering.

The marquee, sponsored by Vintage Spirit magazine will also include a variety of exhibits both inside and near the entrance.

Corporate Hospitality/VIP Marquee

2007 saw the launch of our Corporate Hospitality Marquee which was a great success. For 2008 we will again be offering a corporate hospitality package for companies or groups who would like a VIP day out and relax in a fully lined marquee with its own beer garden. If you would like information on our Corporate Hospitality package for 2008 please conact Julian Hubbuck at the Show Office or see further details on our website.

NEW Pay on Arrival Campsite (STRICTLY TENTS ONLY)

This year we will be able to offer a facility for people to turn up and pay for camping space with tents. Please note this is on stubble and is located at the far end of the showground. This is a short stay camping area only, available from Wednesday 27th August. A reminder, this is for tents only.

Overnight Parking

For the second year we will again be able to offer an overnight parking facility in our car parks. (A charge will apply for overnight parking). Caravans are prohibited from entering our car parks.

Changes to our Campsite Regulations

We are pleased to announce that we have reviewed our campsite regulations and all Landrovers and also caravans up to 24ft in length will now be able to access our pre booked campsites.

No other commercial vehicles will be able to access our camping areas, please see the "Campsite Rules and Regulations" under the "Booking" button for the vehicles that are prohibited.

Sponsorship Opportunities

The Great Dorset Steam Fair is now offering a wide variety of very affordable sponsorship packages.

Sponsorship is a great opportunity to promote any business, to a large and diverse audience. For more information about sponsorship please click on the Sponsorship and Advertising button.

Volunteers

Due to the ever increasing health and safety requirements we are looking for volunteers who would like to help as safety marshals at various positions around the showground. If you would be interested in helping as a volunteer then we would really like to hear from you. Benefits will be available and these will be discussed on an indiviudal basis depending on number of hours etc.

For more information please contact Julian Hubbuck, Operations Manager at the show office or e-mail julian.hubbuck@gdsf.co.uk

AND FINALLY!!
Preparations for the 2008 40th Anniversary show are well underway. The Show Office is extremely busy with enquiries ranging from “Can I exhibit my tractor?” to “Which is your nearest airport?”. We’ve had lots of people wanting to exhibit and trade again this year so we are hopeful that we can maintain the high standard we have had for the last few years.



See you at the 2008 Great Dorset Steam Fair! More news items will be displayed as the weeks progress.