Families visiting Celebration of Steam on Saturday 10 and Sunday 11 May at Portsmouth Historic Dockyard will have the opportunity to meet special guests, Ivor the Engine and friends, who have travelled all the way from “the top left hand corner of Wales”.
It is the first time that Ivor and friends have appeared at Celebration of Steam and they are a perfect addition to the event, which is now in its third year and establishing itself as a popular event for families.
Bringing musical and family entertainment to the Historic Dockyard, these colourful children’s characters will be singing songs and storytelling. Spring born animals including lambs, calves, donkeys and ponies, which were regular features of the children’s classic, will also be making an appearance, courtesy of the Kidsrome Farm.
In addition for families there will be a ride-on railway and steam fairground attractions with a host of costumed re-enactors who will interact with the crowds, re-creating the age of steam with colourful characters.
HMS Warrior 1860 will be have a host of family opportunities with a Punch and Judy show and have-a-go activities relating to how the ship works and its fascinating power of both steam and sail. The ship will also come alive again with a skeleton crew at work and rest, representing the age of steam ships.
Inspired by the backdrop of the Historic Dockyard, visitors this year will also discover more about the role that Portsmouth Royal Dockyard played during the 18th and 19th centuries when it was the greatest industrial complex in the world, drawing heavily on steam to remain at the leading edge of technology.
Once again, the unusual sound of steam engines will resonate throughout the Historic Dockyard with displays of traction engines, road locomotives, miniatures, steam boats and model railways. There will also be Real Ale supplied by a local Gosport brewery and a brass band area outside HMS Victory.
For both enthusiasts and those who enjoy shopping, there will be a larger collection of traders and exhibitors, including traditional craft and gift stalls.
