Egremont’s Crab Fair is set to make its long-awaited return this weekend after four years.
The 750-year-old fair takes place from Friday September 15 to Sunday September 17 and organisers have said the event will be bigger than ever before – with an added Sunday session lengthening the schedule.
Everything from stalls to live music to a fairground, to sporting events, a classic car show and traditional competitions and activities including the world famous Gurning championships are set to go ahead.
CrabFest, the fair’s very own miniature festival, will also be taking place and this year and event goers do not have to book tickets in advance.
Music across the weekend includes tribute acts to pop and rock royalty – such as Scottish bagpipe rock band Drums and Roses – as well as up and coming singers and popular DJs, with something for everyone over the three days.
The sporting events that take place in the week before the main fair, including the clay pigeon shooting, darts tournament, Victorian horse trade sale and multi-terrain race have proven a hit so far this week with strong turn outs for both spectators and competitors.
The town’s main street will be closed to traffic from 12pm on Friday until late on Saturday night and the fairground, situated in Chapel Street Car Park, is now open to the public.
Organisers have been working hard to bring this year’s event forward and are excited to welcome people back on Friday evening when the fair officially begins.
This story will be updated once timings are fully confirmed.
What’s happening on the Friday?
The festivities will kick off on Friday at 5pm until late with Dancing in the Street, which will take place on the main street near the town’s war memorial.
It is fully free to attend and will feature a main stage for live music made up of local artists and bigger well-known acts.
This year’s event will be hosted by Robbie Dee and performers include Kerry Weir, Drums N Roses, The Mustangz, Reggie, Ultra 90’s and DJ Mark Kimmins. Children’s entertainers will also be performing in the street.
A pop-up cocktail bar will be on site and food stalls will be set up and ready to go and both cash and card payments will be taken.
No tickets are required for any of the fair’s live events including Dancing in the Street, CrabFest, the Sports Field or Sunday’s new Dancing in the Field event.
The fairground will be open throughout the weekend – with fair rides in Chapel Street car park, on the main street and in the Sports Field.
What can I expect on Saturday?
All the fair’s main events will take place on Saturday starting from 9am onwards.
Stalls will be open and street entertainers and stage acts will be performing throughout the day.
Timings are still to be confirmed, please check back with us for updates – but the apple cart spectacle, which sees apples thrown from a cart that features the Crab Fair Queen, is expected to begin around midday.
Eventgoers can then follow the crowds in the afternoon and visit the Crab Fair field on Baybarrow Road where local producers will be set up alongside a craft marquee and food hall marquee.
A free bus will run from the town’s main street to the sports field will also run over the course of the afternoon.
Sports events, dog shows, horticulture events, equestrian events, ferret shows and more will take place on the fair field and a children’s area will also be set up complete with fair rides and mobile zoo and other attractions.
Children’s races, adult foot racing, Cumberland wrestling and a children’s pet competition will also take place. The popular beer tent and a gin and prosecco bar will also be set up on the field.
Between 10am and 2pm a classic car and motorcycle display will be on the main street while tractors and stationary engines will be on the fair’s field between 12pm and 4.30pm.
During the day, the traditional riding of the boundary on horseback and the climbing of the greasy pole, will also take place on Main Street.
CrabFest will kick off at 1pm on the fair field and continue into the night, featuring local bands including Mac*Busted The Phonics, The Northern Threads, Solomon Coasts, Danny Dunnery, The Little Lies and an exclusive DJ set from DJ Ratman.
Tickets can be purchased through the fair’s Facebook page or on the door and general entry costs £7 while OAP entry costs £4 and under 12s costs £3.
The World Gurning Championships will take place at 6pm in the town’s market hall, with doors open at 5.45pm. It is free to enter and on a first come, first served basis.
Will anything be happening on Sunday?
On Sunday, the fair’s new event Dancing in the Field will take place.
The line-up includes Fluer and the Flamingos, Jonny Donat, Nikki, Amy Morton and Steven Tubman. It will run from 12.30pm until 8pm in the evening.
Adult entry is £7 and children are able to attend for free.
Programmes for this year’s Crab Fair are expected to be available for purchase from most shops in the town today.
