Welcome to Field Day of the Past!

   We would like your visit to be a pleasant and fun one, so we have designed this Survival Guide to offer you some tips. It provides information on what you are about to experience and some suggestions for visiting, as well as helpful information you can use throughout the visit. Browse through the guide before you leave home, and bring it with you.

Who, What, When and Where

   Before you get started, let us introduce ourselves. Field Day of the Past is an annual event sponsored by the Rockville-Centerville Steam & Gas Historical Assoc, a nonprofit organization operating under Section 50(c)(3) of the Codes of the Internal Revenue Service. The event is organized and manned by volunteers and we always welcome a new face.

   The show grounds are located on Rt. 623 in Goochland County. The most direct route is I-64, exit south on Exit #173 and follow the signs. Field Day attracts approximately 35,000 people over the three day. With this volume of traffic, Rt. 250 is a good alternate route. Turn at the traffic light in Centerville onto Ashland Rd. Signs point the way. Rt. 288 has shortened the distance for many of our visitors on the south side of the James River. Exit on Broad St. West and continue to Centerville. A parking lot is available on Rt. 622 across from the grounds. A lot is also available on Rt. 250 on Saturday only. Parking in all lots is free and transportation is provided to the show. Another way to avoid the traffic is to arrive early, particularly on Saturday.

   Show days are Friday, Saturday and Sunday, Sept. 17-18. The gates open at 8 a.m. and most exhibits shut down at 6 p.m. Truck events are held at 7 p.m. on Friday and Saturday evenings. Admission is $10 per person on Friday; $15 per person on Saturday and $10 per person on Sunday. Two– and three-day passes are available for $20 and $23. Guest 55 and older will be admitted for $8. Children 12 and younger are admitted free of charge. Tickets are available online from this site.Enter through one of the pedestrian gates. If you plan to leave and return on the same day, you must have your hand stamped before re-entering.

   The Information Booth is located across from the Pedestrian Gate on Rt. 622, inside the show grounds. The booth is manned with volunteers armed with maps, schedules and other information. For information prior to the show, call 804-741-8468. Pertinent information can be obtained from this number during show days, including changes due to inclement weather, but the phone is not manned. It will refer you to other numbers if you need to call. Be aware, however, we receive a lot of phone calls on show days and make every effort to answer you, but it is not always possible to do so.

Please Be Safe

   First and foremost, make your trip a safe one. Observe all safety rules and adhere to staff requests, and keep track of the kids. Stay alert and let commonsense be your guide. Advise children to be aware of moving equipment, machinery and animals. Many exhibits are “hands on” and we encourage participation, but it is always best to ask before you touch.  Keep off the tractor and truck pull tracks and away from moving vehicles. Make this trip a happy memory.

Review the Schedule of Events

   A schedule of activities can be found under 2011 Schedule of Events on this site. Although we try to include as much as possible, this schedule does not list every event. Review the schedule and plan your trip in accordance to those things you wish to see. Most activities are scheduled more than once a day and many are ongoing. The Information Booth will have updates on any schedule or location changes and many events are announced on the PA system.

Plan Your Visit

   A map of the grounds can be found on the center pages of this guide. Four photographic maps are also located on the field — one each at the Information Booth, Sawmill Complex, Log Cabin and Short Pump Grocery. These maps will allow you to place yourself in relations to other exhibits. Familiarize yourself with the grounds to save as many steps as possible.

   Trams make regular trips around the field. You may wish to catch one as soon as you arrive, take a circuit of the grounds and note our many exhibits. Select the ones you wish to revisit on foot. The tram stops at regular stops around the grounds, which are marked. You can get on or off at any of these stops. Note times for demonstrations and plan to visit the exhibits you like best early when they are not quite so crowded.

   Keep in mind, this is an outside event — rain or shine. There are some buildings and tents which provide shelter, but dress appropriately. It can be hot in September. Wear layers of clothing, bring a hat and wear comfortable shoes. No matter how much you intend to take the tram, you are probably going to have to do some walking.

   Also, bring a camera. There will be many moments you want to catch on film or tape.

Take Advantage of What We Know

   Many of the volunteers manning the exhibits and demonstrations have first hand knowledge of the skills they are exhibiting. If you have questions, please ask. Our exhibitors will be glad to answer your questions.

Break Time

   Field Day can be an overwhelming experience, particularly if this is your first visit. You cannot see everything in a few hours. Our grounds encompass more than 50 acres and there are hundreds of activities planned. Pace yourself and take into consideration the young and elderly in your party. In September, the weather can be variable — chilly in the morning and quite warm in the afternoon. Plan accordingly and set aside some “down time.”

   For the youngest members of the party, head over to the playground which offers a sandbox and other kids “toys.” It is conveniently located near food, bathrooms and shade. Just let the little ones play while you sit a spell.

     More than a dozen food vendors are located on the grounds offering a variety of foods. There can still be crowds at peak meal times, however, so schedule meals earlier or later to avoid lines.The Short Pump Grocery is open during show hours and offers snacks and drinks to satisfy in-between meal cravings.

Keep Track of Party Members

   There are a lot of people on the grounds during the show, so be especially watchful of tiny tots. In the event you are separated from others in your group, have a plan. Make sure small children know their first and last names and the names of the people they are with. Volunteers need this information to help. If small children misplace their parents, please report it to a staff member of the Information Booth. We make announcements for lost children ONLY!

   As soon as you arrive, designate an obvious place to meet should you get separated. If members in your party go their separate ways, have a meeting time and place designated beforehand.

Restrooms are Available

   Permanent bathrooms are located in the center of the field, near Arts & Crafts. Handicapped and Baby Changing Facilities are available there. The structure was erected to service our visitors, so please keep them clean. If a bathroom is not working, lock the door and report it to a volunteer.

   .S.B. Cox also provides portable toilets and hand washing stations which are scattered throughout the grounds.

Emergency Service

   Centerville Fire and Rescue have both fire and emergency medical equipment and vehicles on the field. Although we hope no one will need there services, there are times when cuts, splinters or the heat can get the best of us and it’s good to know Company 3 volunteers are there to help.

   The Goochland Sheriff’s Dept. is also on the grounds during certain times as are hired security and Virginia State Police.

Tram Service

   Trams are available for transportation from the parking lots to the ticket booths and inside the grounds. Some factors—weather, ground conditions and crowds— can affect this service, so please be patient and bear with us.

Contact with the Outside World

   No public phones are available on the grounds, but most cell phone companies service the area. If you need to meet with someone during the day, make arrangements outside the gates. Also make sure you have all medications and other necessary items before you leave home.

Available Cash

   There will be several ATM machines located on the grounds to serve our visitors.

Lost and Found

   Any items found on the show grounds should be turned in at the Information Booth. If you lose something, check with these volunteers throughout the day. Alls items left after the show ends will be kept for several months in the Field Day office, so call if you are missing something.

   If you have any questions, please call us.

 Have a wonderful time and thanks for coming