Oberon Steam & Vintage Fair
The Oberon Steam and Vintage Fair had its beginnings in the equine flu epidemic of 2008 when a local group of steam enthusiasts
were approached by oberon Agricultural Show to put on a display to fill the void left by the horse events being cancelled.
In subsequent years it came to run as a separate event, although always on the same weekend as the agricultural show until 2012 when it was moved to
the weekend prior to the agricultural show.
It became a much bigger event than the agricultural show, and in my opinion was the standout event in the
local calendar.
The highlight of the fair until 2018 was the Grand Parade, where a procession of steam engines, vintage cars, tractors and trucks were led through the main street by a pipe band. The processions lasted for well over half an hour and generally at least some of the steam engines continued to trundle around town for some time afterwards as well. The fair itself is held on the local football club ground and includes many other displays as well as the vehicles that were in the grand parade.
I believe that some of the organising committe retired after the 2017 event, and the was no Fair in 2018. The fair returned in 2019, but without the grand parade and with less empahasis on steam. I believe that the plan is to hold the fair bi-annually although there is probably some doubt about its future. The event is now known as the Oberon Heritage and Collectors Fair. Further information may be found at www.oberonsteamfair.com.au.
The following are some photos David took of the 2012 & 2013 parades.
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