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Press release - Steam & Vintage Vehicle Rally 2009

It was full steam ahead on the 18th & 19th April 2009 at our first steam rally held at Riverside Holiday Park. Visitors flocked to the Park for a weekend of family fun and the chance to see some extraordinary vehicles close up. In total £30,000 was raised for charity. The charities to benefit will be NSPCC, Queenscourt Hospice, North West Air Ambulance, Kirkham & Rural Fylde Rotary Club, First Responders and Preston South Rotary Club.

The sun shone for the whole weekend event, which featured over 500 exhibits, including 30 steam engines and organs, plus an array of vintage cars, wagons, tractors, buses, motorbikes and military vehicles. Trade and Craft stalls to keep the shoppers entertained. Children's fairground, climbing wall, flight simulator, birds of prey, miniature railway, Tarleton Fire Brigade and donkey rides where all there to be enjoyed by the children. And when you became peckish there was a good choice of food on offer. There was something for everyone!

Even Paddy Kirk and Marlon from Emmerdale came to keep soap stars entertained. BBC Radio Lancashire, Granada Reports, Rock FM Radio & Dune FM Radio all attended the event and broadcast from the Park at various stages. Special thanks to Phil Parkes from Brooklyn Holiday Park for the entertainment and to Don Evans, West Lancashire Town Crier for offering their services for charity.

We would like to thank all exhibitors, public and volunteers who all contributed to making this event the success it was. It has been decided to make this an annual event - the date has yet to be agreed.

Please find links below to more local news reports and pictures of the event

http://www.southportvisiter.co.uk/southport-news/southport-southport-news/2009/04/24/sun-shines-on-riverside-steam-and-vintage-vehicle-rally-in-banks-101022-23457895/

http://www.dune1079.co.uk/photos/riverside-steam--vintage-fair-876184

http://www.champnews.com/html/newsstory.asp?id=7426