CarFest
CarFest is an annual family music and motoring festival held in Cheshire and Hampshire, England. It was founded by the radio presenter Chris Evans in 2011,[1][2] and raises funds for Children in Need, a British charity. The festival presents a variety of entertainment - live music performances, track shows, "celebrity chef" demos, driving experiences, a steam fair, a fundraising family fun run and a carnival fancy dress parade.
| CarFest | |
|---|---|
| Status | active |
| Genre | Family Festival |
| Frequency | Annually |
| Venue |
|
| Country | England |
| Inaugurated | August 2011 |
| Founder | Chris Evans |
Dates
Both events have taken place annually since 2012, with the exception of 2020 when they were cancelled due to Covid-19. The North event has been held at 3 locations throughout Cheshire, including Cholmondeley Castle, Oulton Park, and the Bolesworth Estate, with the South event being held at Laverstoke Park Farm in Overton, Hampshire every year since its debut.
| Year | CarFest North | CarFest South |
|---|---|---|
2012 | 8-9 September (held at Cholmondeley Castle) | 25-26 August |
2013 | 2-4 August (held at Oulton Park) | 23-25 August |
2014 | 1-3 August (held at Oulton Park) | 22-24 August |
2015 | 31 July-2 August (held at Oulton Park) | 28-30 August |
2016 | 29-31 July (held at Bolesworth Estate) | 26-28 August |
2017 | 28-30 July (held at Bolesworth Estate) | 25-27 August |
2018 | 27-29 July (held at Bolesworth Estate) | 24-26 August |
2019 | 26-28 July (held at Bolesworth Estate) | 23-25 August |
2020 | Cancelled due to Covid-19 | Cancelled due to Covid-19 |
2021 | 23-25 July (held at Bolesworth Estate) | Due 27-29 August |
Scalextric
For the 2015 CarFest South, former F1 driver Martin Brundle created a 45-metre Scalextric circuit.[3]
Air crash
During the 2015 event, held at Oulton Park, Cheshire, a Folland Gnat aircraft, one of pair performing a display, crashed into the ground, killing the pilot, Kevin Whyman.[4]
CarFest Supergroup
Richard Jones of "The Feeling" put together the CarFest Supergroup, on behalf of Evans, who released a live double album for the 10th anniversary of the music and motoring festival, with the profits going to a number of charities including the Teenage Cancer Trust and the Starlight Children’s Foundation. Vocalists/musicians on the album include Roger Daltrey, KT Tunstall, Gary Kemp, Ricky Wilson and Jones' wife Sophie Ellis-Bextor.[5][6][7]
References
- "Chris Evans puts Chitty Chitty Bang Bang car up for auction". BBC Online. 12 August 2015. Retrieved 12 August 2015.
- Scullion, Murray (4 August 2015). "Serial CarFest charity donor gives away Moggie van and saloon". Classic Cars For Sale UK. Retrieved 12 August 2015.
- "Scalextric track built for Chris Evans CarFest to be sold for Children In Need - BT". BT Group. 12 August 2015. Retrieved 12 August 2015.
- "CarFest pilot death: Aeroplane 'broke into pieces' - BBC News". BBC Online. 12 August 2015. Retrieved 12 August 2015.
- "Chris Evans Releases Charity Album to Commemorate Carfest's 10th Anniversary". 5 November 2020.
- "Chris Evans launches CarFest charity album".
- "Official Albums Chart Update Top 100 | Official Charts Company". OfficialCharts.com.