Yanks weekend will be back with a bang in 2021

A scene from a previous year's Yanks Weekend

The hugely popular and colourful summer festival 'The Yanks are Back in Saddleworth' is aiming for a dramatic return to the welcoming community in 2021.

The event organisers have rescheduled the military show and famed vehicle parade for August 8-9 next year.

Said a spokesman: “The event brings a wide selection of fabulous 1940s entertainment, historical displays and much, much more. 

“At the military vehicle encampment at Saddleworth School in Uppermill, visitors can explore a huge selection of military vehicles, militaria and period stalls, battlefield re-enactment displays, funfair, exhibitions and period dance demonstrations.

“There will be American classic cars, a 1940s bring and buy sale, local pub entertainment, and a whole lot more besides."

And a highlight, subject to confirmation, will be a heart-stirring flyover of the villages the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight displays.

The yearly event celebrates the filming of “Yanks”, a 1979 drama directed by John Schlesinger and starring Richard Gere, Vanessa Redgrave, William Devane, Lisa Eichhorn and Tony Melody. 

The film is set during the Second World War in Northern England and relationships between American soldiers stationed in semi-rural England and the local population during the build-up to Operation Overlord in 1944. 

It features three romances between US service personnel and local women to explorIng the effects of the cultural differences between the brash 'Yanks' and the more reserved British population.

Scenes were shot across Saddleworth and the Swan Inn in the centre of Dobcross was highlighted.

Actress Lisa Eichhorn revisited the pub to share a rerun of the film at a special showing for locals.

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