The Gloucestershire Steam & Vintage Extravaganza makes a welcome return to Kemble Airfield this year, taking the show in to its 35th year (Friday 31st July to Sunday 2nd August 2009). The power of steam, traditional crafts, classic vehicles, children’s attractions and non-stop live action makes this three day extravaganza one of the UK’s best value family outdoor shows.

The show was originally conceived for steam enthusiasts, but the range of exhibits has grown year on year. It now boasts a huge array of vintage transport, including buses, coaches, motorcycles, military vehicles, classic cars, tractors, aircraft, commercial vehicles, traction engines and historic caravans. Plus a live action arena, interactive demonstrations, rare breeds, shire horses, trade stands, a vintage fun fair and hundreds of curiosity stalls ranging from Victorian memorabilia, antique sewing and knitting machines, folding accordions, model doll houses, petrol pumps, to vintage garden tools and 1940s – 1950′s home wares.

Considered by many of our visitors to be the heart of the show, this year’s steam section will be the largest ever with more than 60 full-size traction engines, steamrollers, showmans’ engines and steam wagons. Many of the machines will be put through their paces in the live demonstration area. These spectacular displays always prove to be entertaining and are not to be missed. The Military section will also be of interest with over 100 unusual vehicles on display. Highlights will include the Swiss made Saurer 6M signal van along with a very rare 1984 ex RAF Scammell and 1965 Commer TS3 Cargo 1, one of only three built to military specification.

Now regarded to be one of the largest classic car shows in the UK, the Kemble Steam Extravaganza will certainly not disappoint the car enthusiasts either. So popular is the car section that in 2008 over 700 classic and veteran cars attended and this year promises a similar number. The section is being presented as six themed groups, mainly based on age covering the dawn of motoring age through to collectable cars of the future. The oldest of the group consists of vintage and pre-war models, but other sections include classics from the end of WW2, post 1972 collectors cars, American cars, and two special 50 anniversary displays for both the Daimler Dart and the Mini.