The organisers of the annual Stars of Sandstone Steam Heritage Festival report an impressive amount of new as well as regular visitors already registering to attend the internationally recognised event set to take place from 2-12 April 2015, where they are committed to spectacular activities to surpass the expectations of steam and heritage enthusiasts from South Africa and across the world.

“We have always had an impressive number of visitors from the United Kingdom, Australia, the USA and Germany, where the heritage of steam and vintage machines enjoy a loyal following. However, we are delighted to report an impressive amount of new visitors to this festival being South African,” says Wilfred Mole, director of Sandstone Estates, where the festival takes place every year.

The spectacular Sandstone Estates near Ficksburg in the Eastern Free-State bordering Lesotho is recognised internationally for its celebration of the myriad steam-driven vehicles and machines that have been restored to pristine condition by Wilfred and his team, to pay homage to the origins of transportation from days gone by.

All the drivers of the steam and heritage vehicles are involved on a voluntary basis, travelling from across the globe to celebrate the romance and fun of a special era and the directors urge visitors, drivers and firemen to register early to attend and participate in these sought-after activities.

Vintage aeroplanes, military vehicles, trek oxen, old tractors, steam lorries, traction engines, locomotives, old buses and cars will again be taking centre stage, whilst old tractors and other agricultural relics in mint condition will also be exhibited at the 2015 festival.  A few surprises are in store to increase the daily fun level of the Festival, with the backdrop of the majestic Maluti Mountains of the Lesotho Highlands nearby.

In fact, Classic Air, operators of South Africa's well known and highly respected DC3 (ZS-NTE) will be involved this year – do read the online newsletter for more information. Go to www.sandstone-estates.com to view recent newsletters.

The Stars of Sandstone 2015 year-end newsletter includes further news:

… we have actually significantly increased our accommodation capability by building some guest cottages, by providing the new Ox Wagon camp, and by making our 3'6” coaches comfortable in an area that is now tidied up and easily accessible.

Finally, campers, whether they be using their own tents, utilising our big Army tents, or using caravans or camper vans will find themselves very much in the centre of all the activities.

We have always been concerned that because our event is specialised and exclusive local people do not really have an opportunity to participate. After consultation with the Armour Museum in Bloemfontein it has been agreed that we will have an Open Day to coincide with a Special Armour Parade and various other Military activities. We will start publicising our Open Day shortly but for dedicated Stars followers please note that Saturday, 11th April 2015 will be a very busy day with lots happening and it will be somewhat different in format to what we normally do. The trains will be much more passenger orientated and there will be more of them. It will almost be on demand. We will definitely have two Garratts operating all day around the circuit, which will be included in the entry fee.

Entry will be R75.00 for adults and R25.00 for children under 12. Food and refreshments will be on sale.

While booking is not essential we would recommend that people advise us of their intention to spend the day at Sandstone. However, payment can either be made in advance or on the day at the gate. 

For further particulars contact Larissa Clarke on E: lclarke@sandstone.co.za or T: 051 933 2235 /  076 024 6188.

Sandstone's world-renowned 26km narrow gauge railway forms the backbone of the spectacular event and the distinctive autumn light provides a breathtaking vista ideal for photo opportunities.

Sandstone Estate also sports an airstrip and visitors enjoy the additional entertainment when pilots fly in to attend the festival, whilst Harvards and similar vintage flying machines provide enormous joy for guests wishing to indulge in an exhilarating flight in these magnificently restored planes.

Sandstone Estates is situated on the farm Hoekfontein, which was acquired by the Mole family in 1994 to be used for mostly recreational purposes and a place to keep Wilfred's vintage tractor collection. Now a Heritage Collection, Sandstone Estates was formed as an agricultural business with specific objectives: that it should be large enough to be viable, self-sufficient and not dependent on service providers.

The farm is an organised and established agri-business with livestock and arable crops including sunflowers, soya beans, maize and wheat, having hosted the Stars of Sandstone festival galas since 1999, when it was titled The Great 100 Working. Sandstone has also become a popular location for the film industries from across the globe – even from as far as Bollywood in India.

An automated registration form can be found at:

http://www.sandstone-estates.com/index.php/general-news/2958-stars-of-sandstone-2015  

For registration and quotes for the Stars of Sandstone gala and nearby accommodation contact Joanne West at joannewest@btinternet.com or Babita Hira at babitan@sandstone.co.za – call +27 11 805 4692/6530 – www.sandstone-estates.com