On Sunday October 19th the annual “Steam Trains & Fair Organs Oktoberfest!” will take place at Mizens Railway in Barrs Lane Knaphill from 12 noon until 5pm. This will be the seventh year that this event has taken place and it has become a firm favourite with local families as well as attracting visitors from all over the UK.

The Oktoberfest is centred around a festival of fascinating vintage mechanical fairground organs and features a host of additional attractions including an old time children’s fun fair complete with a vintage carousel and traditional swing boats which will keep the children happy and of course the 7½ inch gauge Mizens Railway will be in operation throughout the day giving the chance for visitors to enjoy a trip around the one mile circuit hauled by a genuine miniature steam locomotive!

The superb Fairground Models exhibition, which last year proved such a hit with children and adults alike, makes a return and the famous Brooklands Museum will be present with their mobile display unit and some fine exhibits from the Spirit of Brooklands collection of vintage vehicles.

As well as up to six large fairground organs playing at locations around the site a new attraction this year will be a gathering of smaller street or busker organs presented by members of the British Organ Grinders Association (BOGA). It is hoped that a dozen or more of these hand turned instruments will be presented by their owners in a newly created central picnic area of the Mizens site, which is accessed by the footbridge over the railway line.

Additional attractions will include a small craft tent, Chobham Country Farmers Market and other produce stalls, a beer tent (supplied by local pub The Garibaldi in Knaphill) and refreshments will be available including the traditional hot snack of the original “Oktoberfest” in Germany – authentic Bockwürst sausages!

Admission, which includes a full colour souvenir programme, is £2 for adults, £1 for children and £5 for a family ticket (two adults plus up to three children). Parking is free and the event gets underway at 12 noon. With something for everyone it’s a great local “day out with a difference” for all the family.