Clubs & Events
Saturday-sunday, August 19-20
We’ve been out and about, and can fill your diary for the coming weeks.
Now in its fourth year, the Atomic Festival is a great destination held at Sywell Aerodrome in Northants (NN6 0BN) – and having gone last year we can confirm it’s an absolute blast.
The festival is not so much a car show as a fun-packed Fifties weekend that has period cars and music at its heart.
At first glance the ticket prices might seem steep – £45 per day if you book in advance, or £85 for the whole weekend. But with a very full programme featuring top international artists playing throughout both days, you won’t feel shortchanged. What’s more, once you’re at the venue the only extras are food and drink plus some of the vintage funfair rides.
A great first stop is the drag strip. Run by the Vintage Hot Rod Association, it features traditional eighth-of-amile flag-start drag racing. As well as thrilling races by VHRA members, there will be demonstrations by the Gasser Circus and the Brisca Heritage Stock Cars. Also on site is a pre-1963 classic car show; post-1962 classics are welcome too but they’re parked separately.
Event organiser Robin Weathersbee said: ‘Our intention was to recreate the sights and sounds of a Fifties state fair and for one weekend the Atomic Festival allows showgoers to completely immerse themselves in the
music, fashions, cars, racing, food and dancing of that era.
‘You can even take home a piece of the Fifties, as two of the most popular elements of the weekend are the vintage market and the flea market.’
With a roller-skating rink, cinema, wall of death, crazy golf course, jive classes and more than 20 bands playing over the weekend, don’t forget to take your camera or camcorder. With a photo opportunity everywhere you look you’ll spend the whole time snapping away, it’s such a photogenic experience.