It's October already – and with barely a week to go before Erewash’s biggest annual event the council is in full swing preparing for Ilkeston fair.
The traditional big wheel will again go up next to the town hall as an extravaganza of rides big and small take over the Market Place and surrounding streets from 6pm on Wednesday 16 October.
The spectacular four-day 772nd Ilkeston Charter Fair – a mecca for family fun which boasts everything from candy floss stalls to towering white knuckle rides – will run until Saturday 19 October.
The official opening of one of the oldest street fairs in all of Europe will be on Thursday 17 October at noon when bells are rung by Erewash’s mayor – who then usually heads for the dodgems in full regalia.
Townsfolk are expected to gather in their hundreds from 10.30am to see the Medieval charter for the fair read out. It was granted in 1252 by King Henry III – years before Nottingham got its more famous Goose Fair.
The town centre is closed to traffic during the fair. A full list of roads affected is on the road closures page.
Five town centre car parks – South Street’s, East Street’s, Pimlico’s, Queen Street’s and Club Row off Gregory Street – will be closed. Resident parking permits will not apply.
This year the council has consulted with police to bring in extra public safety measures as new legislation goes through Parliament.
Industry leading safety barriers will be in place after 11am each day, which means vehicle access – such as for deliveries to shops – will be strictly limited.
Erewash’s Deputy Leader Cllr Becca Everett, who is Lead Member for Community Engagement, said:
“We apologise for any additional inconvenience this may cause residents and local businesses – but the safety of the tens of thousands who flock to the fair has to be our priority.
“Staging the charter fair is a huge annual undertaking by the council and I pay tribute to all our staff for the monumental amount of hard work that goes into making it such a fantastic success each year. Thanks also go to the showmen.”
The fair will be open on Wednesday from 6pm to 11pm, then from 12 noon to 11pm on Thursday, Friday and Saturday.
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