John Cocker, Sinead Cocker From Co. Laois

Spectacular summer fun at Streete Vintage Festival

Beginning as a small vintage show in 2002, Streete Vintage has grown into one of Westmeath’s most exciting summer events.

The Streete Vintage Festival, which is now a three-day celebration running from June 27 to 29, returned last weekend bigger and better.

Despite the showers of rain early in the morning, the show spirit was kept alive. Long time organiser, Kevin Brady, reflected on past festival’s saying: “We’ve had several wet days, unfortunately, but it never dampened the people’s spirits. They still came to support us, which is terrific.”

The event officially kicked off on Friday evening with lively social dancing in the hall, with music by Stuart Moyles. Saturday had a vintage all-vehicle and tractor road run throughout Westmeath and Longford.

On Sunday morning, the festival was in full swing. Eamonn Campbell, PRO of the organising committee, described the day as “hectic from the start.”

“We had people setting up and arriving from as early as 6:45 am,” he said. “We’ve probably got the biggest car display the village has ever seen, we’ll need a multi-storey car park next year if this keeps up!”

One of this year’s standout features is the 75th anniversary of Volkswagen in Ireland, marked with a special display in partnership with Mullingar Autos, the main sponsor of this year’s event.

Throughout the day, live music was played with performances from Patrick Feeney, Carragh Lynch, and Lauren McCrory. Sunday also hosted an All-Breeds Dog Show and a fun fair for families.

Now looking ahead, Kevin is planning something special to mark a milestone, “In two years, it will be Streete Vintage Show’s 25 years running. I’m hoping to do a book on the 25 years of Streete Vintage. If anyone has photographs, memories, or would like to remember someone who’s passed on, I’d love to hear from them.”