Preparations 'On Track' For Great Dorset Steam Fair

Somerset has its fair share of impressive annual events - the Yeovilton Air Day, the Bath and West show, and that wee festival tucked away in Pilton.

But just over the border, Dorset is gearing up for one of its busiest days of the year.

The Great Dorset Steam Fair 2011 takes place in Tarrant Hinton, Dorset, from Wednesday 31st August to Sunday 4th September, and this year new stunt attractions are predicted to pull in a record number of punters.

The new stunt displays include demonstrations by The White Helmets, part of the Army and in particular the Royal Corps of Signals. This will be the first time that The White Helmets, with their unique feats of balance, skill and coordination and high impact high speed cross over rides, will feature at the Steam Fair.

The team was formed in 1927 making it the oldest motorcycle display team, featuring popular trademark acts such the fire jump, car jump and reverse rides.

The International Big Pete Monster Truck Display Team, which features racing, car crushing and a tug of war (where a car is pulled in two) is also a new stunt display for this year. The UK's number one Monster Truck team provides a unique approach to monster truck displays and is expected to be hugely popular.

The team's spectacular and exciting shows have captivated crowds at many high profile events across the UK and Europe for over 30 years.

This will be the 43rd year of the event run by Managing Director Martin Oliver, son of founder Michael Oliver. Martin says: "We have been gearing up in all areas of the show this year to offer even more for visiting families, and we have made significant improvements in the way of live music performances.

"There has been a huge amount of interest in the new stunt displays already and ticket sales are up compared to this time last year. The busiest time for ticket sales is yet to come, so we are in the process of preparing for what we hope will be a record number of visitors".

The Great Dorset Steam Fair is the world's largest heritage and cultural event showcasing our national industrial, agricultural and leisure history.

Why not cross over the border and soak up the special festival atmosphere, either as a day visitor or by taking in the full five days camping on site.

Steamy Facts:

Annually the Great Dorset Steam Fair goes through ten miles of electric cable, 200 tonnes of coal and 550 barrels of beer!

Over 200,000 visitors attend each year from the UK and all over the world.

This year there will be over 90 acts performing on five stages across the site.

There are over 170 acres allocated for pre-paid public camping that will accommodate a staggering 5,000 individual units (caravans and tents etc.)

Over 60 Showman's Engines with their gleaming, twisted, brass will generate the light and power for the old roundabouts and swing-boats.

Over 100 cars, nearly 400 commercial vehicles, over 140 motorcycle exhibits, over 100 military machines, over 250 vintage tractors and over 100 horticultural tractors will be on display this year.

Ten large corn ricks will be threshed at this year's show and a dozen saw benches will feature in the wood sawing area.