Man About Town - Sandbach Transport Festival

Published in Go Local Sandbach - April 2025

By Greg Hall.

Due to our printing deadlines being approximately one month prior to each edition of Go Local Sandbach landing on doorsteps, I distinctly recall writing my previous article in late January/early February, at a time when it was cold, dark and wet. How lovely, therefore, to be sitting here penning these words in bright sunshine and (comparatively speaking) warmth. Spring, by the time you read this, will be well and truly upon us.

Which, at least as far as Sandbach’s busy schedule of events is concerned, can mean only one thing. Yes, it’s almost time for our annual transport festival and this year’s – taking place across the weekend of 26th and 27th April – promises to be bigger and better than ever.

Boasting ‘a variety of vehicles from classic cars to modern classics, from trucks to planes and everything in between’ (well, they say ‘everything in between’, but I can’t imagine we’ll be treated to a nuclear submarine meandering its way down the High Street), Sandbach’s transport festival never fails to disappoint.

As usual, there will be a huge exhibition and parade celebrating the town’s illustrious transport heritage – with a particular focus on the Foden and ERF truck manufacturers that dominated the area for much of the 20th century – as well as live music, transport-related activities for the kids and various food vendors dotted around the town centre.

Saturday (26th) will concentrate on a tribute to ERF and Foden, with a vast array of trucks from across the decades, together with incredible displays by the On the Edge Motorcycle Stunt Team and Fusion Extreme BMX show. There will also be a gathering of military transport including the return of the Spitfire and, this year, the Oshkosh Striker 6x6 aircraft rescue and firefighting vehicle.

Then, on Sunday (27th), focus will shift to the traditional parade of exhibited vehicles along the High Street (nuclear submarine TBC), as well as the chance to take a vintage bus ride around the town and enjoy a second chance to see the military vehicles.

There will be a range of local music acts performing on the Cobbles from 1pm on the Saturday, including sets from tribute acts as diverse as Oasis, ABBA and Whitney (while the website doesn’t specify, I’m assuming this is an homage to the late Whitney Houston, rather than the lesser known singer-songwriter Whitney Woerz), then on Sunday our world-famous Foden’s Brass Band will take to the stage between midday and 4pm.

With all that to look forward to, it promises to be a weekend not to miss. I just hope this nice weather sticks around long enough for everyone to enjoy it!

All information correct as of April 2025