The pedestrian gate streets of Gloucester will be going back in time this August bank holiday weekend as Gloucester City Council hosts its first classic and retro festival.
Historic vehicles, seek cars, motorbikes, scooters and commercial vehicles will line the gate streets on Saturday 29th and Sunday 30th August.
There will be fun for all the family as Westgate Street becomes themed from 1900’s to 1949 and Northgate Street turns into the 1950’s.
Eastgate Street will be bringing back the 1960’s and Southgate Street will remember the 1970 and 1980’s.
Local businesses, shops, pubs, restaurants, banks and charities will all be joining in the fun by creating their own retro feel.
The free festival takes place each day between 10am and 5pm and visitors are being encouraged to join in and dress up for the occasion too.
Awards will be handed out for the best dressed person, couple, business and vehicle by the Sheriff and Deputy Mayor of Gloucester Cllr Jim Beeley.
A policeman will return to the cross for the weekend, no longer directing the traffic, he will be guiding visitors to bygone eras of time.
Kings Square will host live entertainment and a retro market where stallholders will be offering all things from clothes to furniture.
The Folk Museum in Westgate Street will be supporting the 1900-1949 theme with a typical ‘wash day’ where visitors can see the mangles and dollies that were used before washing machines were invented. A penny farthing can also be seen.
WWII re-enactors will troop the streets in their uniforms and military vehicles will be on display. In the grounds of our historic cathedral there will be a classic car and vehicle show.
In Northgate Street the New Inn will be playing popular rock n’roll songs to get everyone in the jiving mood, and further down the street look out for authentic 1950’s style Italian ice creams.
The 1970’s and 1980’s will come alive on Southgate Street with banks, cafes, shops and restaurants playing retro music. Star Wars re-enactors will also be mingling with the crowd.
The Tourist Information Centre is encouraging customers to explore the history of Gloucester even further by offering 10% off the price of local history books.
Gloucester Guildhall on Eastgate Street will be holding a special retro dance and disco on Saturday evening with tickets available from www.gloucesterguildhall.co.uk/
Miss Gloucester will be making a special appearance dressing in clothes from the 1930’s, and the world record holding stuntman Dick Sheppard will also be present.
City councillor and cabinet member Colin Organ, who had the idea for the festival said, “I look forward to seeing each gate street dressed up and themed from a different era as we welcome everyone to the city for Gloucester’s first Classic and Retro Festival on August bank holiday weekend.”
“The free festival is not only a different event for everyone to join in, dress up and enjoy, it also aims to increase footfall and business in the city centre and help charities at the same time. The combination of classic vehicles, fashion and music from different eras with shopping and food will create a real buzz in the city.
“This is a great chance for local businesses to promote themselves and if anyone wishes to join in, or volunteer to help, please get in touch with me.”
Any city centre businesses that would like to be involved should email colin.organ@gloucester.gov.uk or call 07767 350003.