We realise that there are many vintage festivals happening this summer, indeed any type of festival, but there are very few that you need to go to! And the Summer of Vintage Festival organised by The Vintage Suitcase, is one of those that you should drop everything to go to!
On the 1st and 2nd August, Uttoxeter Racecourse opens it’s doors to shopping, dancing, music, beauty and loads more. Here is a run down of the attractions & entertainment for the weekend as described by Gemma, the festival organiser.
“We have an outdoor stage with live music where Kiki DeVille (as seen on BBC 1’s ‘The Voice’ in 2014) is our compere for the weekend. You can catch her on the main stage and she’ll also be helping to judge our ‘Best Dressed’ competition which is being sponsored this year by Vintage Life Magazine.
There will be live music throughout the weekend – on the Saturday we have The Daisy Chains, winners of ‘Best Vintage Band’ at The London Vintage Award 2014 and on Sunday we welcome The Debonaires who are an 8 piece jumping jive swing band.
We had such a fab time with Bexi Owen last year that we’ve invited the ‘Swinging, Singing Show Girl’ back to perform in our vintage tearoom all weekend! Our tearoom this year comes courtesy of award winning company Darby & Joan Vintage so you can enjoy delicious home style baking whilst listening to the beautiful Bexi!
Our dance lessons proved so popular last year that we’ve invited the Groove Academy back to for more lindy hop & rock n roll dance classes! Whether you’re an absolute beginner or a lindy hop legend, join us at the main stage in between the bands!
JCB might be a global brand but they’re actually located just down the road from Uttoxeter and will be displaying lots of vintage JCB machinery along with lots of vintage brochures & advertising posters. They’re also very kindly sponsoring our Classic Car ‘Show & Shine’ competition. (If you’d like to book a spot for your amazing automobile then drop them an email at info@vintagesuitcase.co.uk)
‘Simply Staffordshire’ are a local, handpicked directory showcasing lots of amazing handmade designer makers. They’ll be joining us on both days with lots of free taster workshops not only showcasing their businesses but also the crafty activities they have on offer!
Once again we’ve got some fab street food vendors to really add to the festival vibe of this amazing event. Think gourmet burgers served up from a 1960s Airstream van, a ‘Big Ben’ style Victorian potato oven or how about Turkish English fusion flatbreads & fillings served up from a lovingly converted Royal Mail LDV Convoy van?! We’ve got food to suit all palettes!
Joining our Pop Up Beauty Salon will be photographer Claire Seville who will be setting up a studio with lots of retro furniture & props, so don’t let your best dress & fabulous hairstyle go to waste! Why not capture the memory on film? Our resident stylist Claire of ‘Pin Up Curl’ will be bringing along a guest stylist for the weekend so there will be DOUBLE the amount of appointments available. She’s already taking bookings for this weekend so do get in touch with her to avoid disappointment”
PHEW! Sounds great doesnt it? We asked Gemma what she enjoyed about running festivals,
“It’s hard to imagine that in just 3 years, we’d go from holding events with just 25 stall holders & around 400 visitors to huge festival style events with nearly 1200 people attending them each day! It’s an amazing feeling to gather this many vintage enthusiasts in one place and the feedback we get from both our traders and visitors is that our events are just like vintage fairs should be; a good mixture of clothing, furniture, homewares and handmade traders. I think everyone has a different idea of what they’d like to see at a vintage fair so bringing a good variety of top quality traders seems to please everyone! Winning the award for ‘Breakthrough Business’ at last years National Vintage Awards has helped to take The Vintage Suitcase to a whole new level and we can’t wait to see what 2015 brings. I just wish I could attend my own events as a visitor because I’d love to be able to take the time to stroll around, see exactly what’s on offer from our traders and take in a dance class or two!”
Gates open 10am ’til 4pm each day. ‘Early Bird’ tickets are £3.00 in advance via see tickets or £5.00 on the gate. Under 14’s go free when accompanied by an adult.
