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Salute to the '40s festival returns to the Historic Dockyard Chatham

05:00, 05 September 2022

Dig out your best retro finery and perfect your victory rolls as the fabulous Salute to the ‘40s festival comes to town.

The Historic Dockyard Chatham will once again welcome performers, traders and visitors for its nostalgic nod to the 1940s.

Vintage festival Salute to the '40s returns to the Historic Dockyard Chatham this September
Vintage festival Salute to the '40s returns to the Historic Dockyard Chatham this September

For two days, the blitz spirit will take over the dockyard in the form of live entertainment, historical displays, vintage stalls and authentic costumes.

There will be plenty to keep you busy, from live music from Miss Holiday Swing and Adam Hoffman to Home Front demonstrations, dance workshops and fashion parades.

There will be live music, dancing and demonstrations during the weekend festival. Picture: Alison Lewis Photography
There will be live music, dancing and demonstrations during the weekend festival. Picture: Alison Lewis Photography

Car enthusiasts can also browse the classic car displays sprawling across the 80-acre site, featuring rare models and vintage vehicles from decades past.

With its rich heritage, it’s not surprising that the dockyard is giving guests an authentic slice of history with a real-life air raid evacuation where visitors can see what it was really like to live in wartime Britain during the ‘40s.

Take home a memento from your journey back in time from the vintage street market, which will be packed with traders selling everything from genuine collectables, impressive replicas and retro fashion.

Visitors often dress for the occasion during the '40s festival. Picture: Raymond Fothergill
Visitors often dress for the occasion during the '40s festival. Picture: Raymond Fothergill

To keep the kids happy, there will be fairground rides, including a classic carousel, traditional garden games and the historic railway which will welcome visitors at 10am each day.

And, when you need a break from all the fun, you can grab a bite of good, old-fashioned British food such as pie and mash or fish and chips from the food stalls.

If that isn’t enough, you can take part in some of the more unique activities that the weekend has to offer. From getting your hair styled in the on-site salon to stepping into the replica bombed-out house and 1940s pub, this event truly brings the era to life.

Salute to the ‘40s takes place at the Historic Dockyard Chatham on Saturday, September 10 and Sunday, September 11 from 10am to 6pm.

Adult tickets cost £23 per day or £34 for the weekend when booked online in advance here. If you’re buying tickets on the gate, adult prices start from £25.

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