Military show is set to return despite pandemic

It’s all guns blazing for the War and Peace Revival this summer, as the mega-event is still planning to go ahead.

Describing itself as ‘the greatest celebration of military and vintage lifestyle in the world’, organisers are apparently not letting coronavirus get in the way.

Every year, hundreds of history buffs visit Hop Farm Park near Paddock Wood for the five day extravaganza, keen to view military vehicles from around the world, cheer on battle re-enactments and boogie the night away in vintage clothing to beloved and nostalgia-tinted tunes.

This time, however, the event, scheduled to take place from Tuesday, July 28 until Saturday, August 1, may look slightly different as organisers prepare to go ahead, while sticking to government guidelines. A statement on the show’s website, titled ‘The War and Peace Revival Show is On’, reads: “We are carefully monitoring the situation regarding the Covid-19 outbreak and planning the measures needed to ensure the safety of all exhibitors and visitors at the show. “Ticket sales have been put on hold. Once we have more information from the Government we will then look at tickets going back on sale.

“We will constantly review our plans according to the Government’s latest advice.”

Swathes of high profile events in west Kent have been cancelled or postponed, including the 10th annual Maidstone Fringe Festival, which was set to welcome around 100 bands over four days last week.

Instead a virtual festival was held, with acts staging live streams and pre-recorded gigs. Kent’s biggest celebration of the LGBT community, Canterbury Pride, set for June 13, was also called off.

The last few weeks have seen a relaxation of lockdown restrictions, however the government still currently says mass gatherings should not go ahead.