TANKFEST 2022 set to be 'almost normal'
The Tank Museum will host TANKFEST between 24th - 26th June
TANKFEST is making a welcome return to its familiar June dates for 2022 – but the lingering COVID threat means that some of the changes made for 2021 have been retained.
It takes place at The Tank Museum on 24th - 26th June this year, and like in pre-covid times, it will be a three-day event.
The main vehicle display programme will be taking place on Saturday and Sunday, whilst Friday will have a range of talks and presentations taking place across the site.
The Tank Museum's Visitor Experience Manager Rosanna Dean said: “Even though the pandemic seems to be moving in a more positive direction we need to create our plans in such a way that ensures we can still go ahead with the event if things take a step backward,”
The main arena programme on Saturday and Sunday will be again repeated twice each day.
As a result, ticket holders will need to specify an AM or PM Arena session when they book their Saturday and Sunday tickets, just as they did in 2021.
Whilst the arena capacity for each arena session will be greater than the 2,500 permitted in 2021, at total maximum of 4,500 it will still be half of that seen at TANKFEST in 2019.
Organisers say this means they will be able to comfortably accommodate their visitors around the arena without it feeling overcrowded.
Rosanna said; “Visitor feedback from TANKFEST 2021 showed that our visitors enjoyed a much better viewing experience as a result of our arena capacity, and enjoyed the more intense and concentrated vehicle display programme more than our pre-COVID programme.”
Nik Wyness, Head of Marketing at The Tank Museum said:“TANKFEST is our biggest fundraising event of the year and we’re so pleased to see it’s return to ‘almost normal’ in 2022, after two years of disruption.
“TANKFEST gives our visitors the chance to see a world-beating collection of running armour, including guest vehicles from other collections and a display from the British Army.”
WHAT'S ON
- Arena displays will include a living history battle, tank displays of Second World War and Cold War armour and a display of British Army vehicles.
- A number of guest vehicles are being lined up, to include a Sherman 51, AMX and Panhard AML. They also hope to bring in an OT90, Sherman Firefly, M10 and Hetzer.
- The Lecture stage programme is also being assembled, with Jesse Alexander of Real Time History/ The Great War YouTube Channel and Lance Geiger of The History Guy YouTube channel.
IF YOU'RE A MEMBER
- Gold Friends have access to all three days included in their membership (although places must be booked online) and standard Friends can get 10% off their tickets as usual.
- This year all Friends of The Tank Museum will be able to enjoy Fast Track access if they arrive at the admission ten before 10am.
- Organisers are also looking at arranging an informal gathering for members to meet up at the event. This is likely to be held at the on-site bar.
TICKETS
TANKFEST tickets are on sale now.
Visit The Tank Museum’s website for more information and to buy tickets online https://tankmuseum.org/events/tankfest/
Hear all the latest news from across the UK on the hour, every hour, on Greatest Hits Radio on DAB, smartspeaker, at greatesthitsradio.co.uk, and on the Rayo app.