Gloucester Goes Retro Returns

The UK’s finest Retro festival and much-loved annual family event is organised and funded by Gloucester City Council in partnership with the Gloucester Business Improvement District.

This year’s event looks set to be bigger and better than ever and will feature over 400 classic vehicles, from motorbikes to buses, and military tanks to boats.

Live music and entertainment, re-enactors, Swing Dancers, Disco Dancers, Break Dancers and more fill the historic gate streets, Kings Square and Gloucester Docks.

The gate streets will once again showcase the finest vintage vehicles and street entertainment, from the 1900s through to the 1990s and beyond.

Brand new for this year, Kings Square will feature an 80s and 90s Zone, playing hip-hop and 80s and 90s classics, with retro games, activities, food and vintage stalls.

There’ll be a replica of the Ghostbusters car, ECTO-1, and a 13ft Stay Puft Marshmallow Man, and so much more for all the family.

The main stage in the Docks is hosted by Gloucester Swing Dance, where you can swing-along to fantastic bands such as The Number Rackets, Swing Commanders, and the Cooking Jack Fats.

Returning for the second time is Retro on the Water, with boat trips, tours of the dry dock plus guided tours of Kathleen and May, Britain's last wooden hull, three masted top-sail schooner afloat today.

At the Military Zone, near the Soldiers of Gloucester Museum, you’ll find the huge REME 32 tonne recovery vehicle and the World War II Hellcat tank with displays from military units, live music and food available too.

Local businesses, shops and restaurants will join in with retro shop front displays and staff dressed in costume. And while dressing up for visitors is not a requirement, it is most definitely encouraged.

Cllr Andrew Lewis, cabinet member for culture and leisure at Gloucester City Council, said: “We are incredibly excited to have Retro back in the city again. This year will be bigger and better than ever, with hundreds of classic vehicles, a brand new 80s/90s nostalgia zone, Retro on the Water, and a Military Zone. It’s a huge event for the city, where we welcome tens of thousands of visitors, and we cannot wait to see you all dressed in your finest costume of choice. Don’t forget to pop along to the Cross for a selfie with PC Plod!”

Emily Gibbon, Business Manager at Gloucester Business Improvement District, said: “Retro is such a wonderful event for the city, the businesses, and the community. Seeing the Gate Streets and the Docks animated and enjoyed by so many is fantastic. This year it’s great to have Kings Square as the 1980s-1990s themed space. We can’t wait!”

The event starts at 10am and is completely free to attend.

Visit www.gloucestergoesretro.com and follow the Facebook Page www.facebook.com/gloucestergoesretro.