The 2022 Farmyard Party was held on Friday 17th to Sunday 19th of June at Duncombe Park, Helmsley. This was the first FYP to be held since 2019 as that pesky covid scuppered holding the rally in 2020 and 2021.
We had no idea how many would be attending the rally this year as tickets bought for 2020 were still valid for 2022, so although we knew how many new tickets had been sold, we had no way of knowing how many 2020 tickets would be redeemed. The great news was the rally was very well attended with around 6,000 on-site (this compared very favourably with 2019).
A great selection of food vans was on-site to cater for all tastes. Most meals had gone up in price (from 6 to 7 quid), understandably as everything has gone up this year, but compare that with food prices at run of the mill music festivals and you realise you are still getting a bit of a bargain.
As per previous Farmyard Parties, there were 4 music venues (Main Stage, Riders Rights Tent, Blues Bar & Crusties), each offering 3 bands on the Friday night and 3 on Saturday - 24 bands over the course of the weekend !!!
Together with the bands, other entertainment included a Custom Marquee, Purple Helmets display team on both Friday and Saturday (one of their last UK shows as they are disbanding this year), the Old Peculiar Custom Show, and the legendary Smacked Arse Comedy Show. Coupled with a large number of traders, there literally is lots to keep you entertained all weekend.
The Old Peculiar Custom Show was held on Saturday afternoon, and marshalled by Wakefield MAG. 53 bikes entered the show which was impressive, especially given the quality of the entrants this year (the FYP always does attract seriously good bikes). The show was judged by Sold Out Motorcycles, who were hosting the Custom Marquee. This year, there were 6 FYP Show trophies up for grabs, plus an overall Best in Show, plus a further trophy was presented by the Rock & Bike Fest guys (plus free tickets to said event). Oh, and a 100 quid cash prize for the FYP Best in Show winner ..... no wonder the show was popular !!!!
The Show Winners:
Trying to get all the winners together at the same time for the prize giving was akin to herding cats, but we managed it.
Headlining in the Main Arena on Saturday night were AC/DC UK, probably Europe's best AC/DC tribute band, and they certainly didn't disappoint the 2022 FYP.
All too soon it was Sunday and time to pack up and head home. A brilliant rally and a brilliant weekend. A little bit of a shame that most of the Wakefield MAG rally goers had something else on that weekend and only five were able to attend. As such, we needed considerable help to marshal the Blues tent this year, which Wakefield MAG normally exclusively marshals. We should be back up to strength for 2023, and there are a good number of us attending the forthcoming Yorkshire Pudding Rally in August.
The dates for 2023 FYP have just been announced: Friday 16th - Sunday 18th June 2023. Hope to see you there.