Large crowd expected at Longford Vintage Club annual show and family fun day
Longford Vintage Club thanked Longford County Council, Longford and Westmeath Education Training Board (LWETB) and Longford Tourism for their support
The Annual Vintage Show and Family Fun Day by the Longford Vintage Club next Sunday promises to be an enjoyable and entertaining day for young and old with an abundance of attractions.
A large crowd is expected at the 21st staging of the popular event, which frequently attracts thousands, as it returns to Connolly Barracks on Church Street in Longford Town.
The Annual Vintage Show and Family Fun Day begins at 12-noon on Sunday, May 31 and it will feature a massive display of vintage cars and tractors, trade stalls, live music, and family entertainment.
Secretary Miceal Nolan said preparations have been ongoing for almost 12-months and anything related to kids entertainment is all free.
"There is a lot of planning in the background that has been going on.
"Some of the things, the attractions and stuff, we have been planning since last year's show."
He stated Longford Vintage Club were deeply saddened by the recent death of their Honorary President and dear friend, Patrick Brady who will be missed and fondly remembered.
Miceal said Patrick was a long-standing and valued member of the club, and a passionate supporter of all things vintage whose generosity and commitment will never be forgotten.
"Patrick did the official opening of our 20th anniversary show last year so he will be missed, for sure, and we send our sympathies to the family," he added.
Miceal said among his many contributions, Patrick kindly donated a Ferguson tractor and a Garvie Thresher to the club—lasting reminders of his dedication and love for the vintage community.
"He attended a lot of our events and tractor runs and all that sort of stuff."
Miceal said the tractor will be taking part in the show but unfortunately the thresher will be out as further repairs are being carried out.
"We're hoping to do a restoration project on it in the future but at the moment it's kind of under lock and key," he added.
He stated all commercial vehicles - all makes and models are welcome and he has urged people to bring along their vintage trucks, lorries and commercial classics
"Everything, cars, tractors, motorbikes, stationary engines, commercial vehicles, bicycles, motorbikes, you name it, anything people have, we would encourage them to come out on the day."
Miceal said local company Corvenieo's will be looking after their kids entertainment and the entertainment show throughout the day.
"They are back again this year and they have a lot of different things such as face painting and some kids entertainment shows and there are also train rides."
Miceal said once people pay in at the gate there is no further charge for any side attractions and all of the kids entertainment is free.
"We have a pet farm and they are travelling from Mayo.
"They will have a stall positioned down further in the show grounds where kids can meet and feed the animals and they were there last year and they were very popular so we got them to come back."
Miceal said the ever popular 'Dog Show will start at 2pm, with registration from 1pm
"A big thank you to our sponsors, Maxi Zoo Longford & Emma Plant, Happy & Healthy Longford Vets," he added.
READ ALSO: Garda recruits training in Longford
Miceal said they will also have a demonstration of Lawnmower racing taking place throughout the day and a wood carver who works by chainsaw who was very popular last year and is returning."He will be making a piece throughout the day.
"I don't know what we will do with it yet.
"We might raffle it off later in the year and raise money for charity or something like that."
Miceal stated there will be live music from local artists Emily Doyle and David Orohoe and 'Sugar & Spice' between 3.30pm and 5.30pm.
"We decided earlier in the year that we would try and give some local entertainers a platform to show the audience what they can do."
Miceal said the Longford Vintage Club will also be celebrating 80 years of the Ferguson T20 on the day.
"We're inviting anyone that has a 20 or even a 35, any Ferguson tractor to come in and we're putting a display together of those T20s if possible, so we will have all them together in one area."
The club secretary said the special guest on the day Sammy Heaney of Sammy TV.
"She's a social media influencer and she is very popular especially with the farming community and audience."
Miceal said Longford Vintage Club host an annual car run, tractor run, a vintage show and they have members events such as an annual barbecue and a bus tour.
"Every year then we make charitable donations towards local charities.
"So any money that we donate we try and make sure that it stays local for example last year we donated to St Christopher's and we donated to the defibrillator group.”
Miceal thanked Longford County Council, Longford and Westmeath Education Training Board (LWETB) and Longford Tourism for their support.
"The council and LWETB are the two landlords of the barracks and they give us the use of their premises every year which we are very thankful for and we would like to thank Longford Tourism as well. "