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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. Im 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?. Weve 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.
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