Classic display with

CROWDS of people marvelled at the stunning collection of vintage vehicles on display at the first ever Festival of Fantastic Machines at Southport Pleasureland over the weekend.

Vintage machines of every conceivable shape and size rolled into town for the event on Saturday and Sunday (September 25 and 26).

Interspersed with the park’s rides and attractions, visitors enjoyed the Festival’s steam and vintage rally, toured its vintage and ‘exceptional’ vehicles, wondered at a quirky collection of fairground organs, inspected a collection of military vehicles and let off some steam of their own on the park’s rides.

On the Saturday evening, they enjoyed a fantastic night of entertainment with performers including: Brown en Blonde; David Lonsdale; John Coates; Alistair Lee; Abba; and Snake Eyes.

Southport Pleasureland CEO Norman Wallis explained: “We have scoured the length and breadth of the country in search of the weird and wonderful, and we have a real showstopper of an event.’’

He added: “The park is the ideal location for the Festival and it’s the perfect opportunity for us Brits to indulge our passion for all things mechanical.

“Southport has a strong history built around steam and speed. The resort is no stranger to pushing the envelope with fantastic machines either, Southport is home to a land speed record set in 1926.”

The new-to-Southport event was timed to coincide with the town’s British Musical Fireworks Championships which took place on Friday, Saturday and Sunday, allowing visitors to Southport to plan for a day-throughto-evening experience for friends and family.