No Street Vintage, but planning for next year has started

Some decisions in life don’t come easy and the organisers of Streete Vintage show found it difficult to call off their event as it became unlikely that Covid-19 restrictions would be lifted by Sunday June 28, the date it had been planned for.

Their priority was to protect the health and safety of visitors, traders, exhibitors, volunteers, staff and all those involved in preparing and delivering the show.

In a statement this morning, the organisers said: “We are sorry, but with the current conditions on social distancing and government restrictions on large events for the foreseeable future, it was just not possible for us to host a safe event for all those involved.

“We know it’s hard on everyone especially the thousands of supporter who come every year and with this, in mind, It is with great sadness that we had to cancel this year’s Streete Vintage show.”

"The first Streete Vintage show was on June 2002, 23 – one of the wettest days in memory, we survived that and we have never missed a year since."

The event is organised by volunteers living in and around Streete and this would have been their 18th year.

Kevin Brady of the organising committee said: “It is difficult to plan and deliver a show of this scale and Streete Vintage show is known far and near as the best show in the midlands for meeting up with friends and family, and it has been voted the number one show in the midlands by vintage fans from all over the country.

“The show is important to us and local businesses, but unfortunately, this year has thrown a spanner in the works and has been a wipeout – not alone to us but many businesses in Westmeath and Longford.

“Every year we invest a sizeable amount of money through advertising, food and entertainment, so the fallout of not having a successful show this year means the income the show generates and which would normally go directly into maintaining and keeping the community centre in Streete open will now be down.

“It is also important to remember that shows like Streete vintage not alone support communities – they also support the preservation of cultural identity, history, and heritage – vintage shows could be a child’s first steps into history and the ground where new ideas of life are formed.”

Kevin and the team are hopeful that when things return to near normal next year, the crowds will return in force.

He said: “If possible, we hope to have a small show later in the year so as not to disappoint local vintage fans, but we will just have to wait and see.

“We hope to be back bigger and better next year, God willing.

“I would just like take this opportunity, on behalf of the vintage committee, to thank all our supporters and people who called us to say they will all be ready for next June 27, 2021.”