Egremont’s Crab Fair is returning for its 757th year this weekend.
It’s set to bring all its usual well-loved traditional events like the gurning and greasy pole, as well as a big bike stunt show, Crab Fest and Dancing in the Street which will bring plenty of music and performances to the town alongside stalls, food and more.
But to keep going strong for years to come, it needs your support.
Made up entirely of volunteers, members work with businesses and individuals who support and help fund the fair to bring it to life each year.
Not only does it bring a weekend of celebrations and weird and wonderful traditional events to the town, but it also provides a platform for people taking part in sport events, horticultural and craft events, and those who take to the stage to dance, sing, perform and gurn.
This year, it has cost £59,000 to put on the fair and without people visiting or showing their support, there wouldn’t be a fair at all.
So how do you help keep a 757-year-old fair alive?
While the best thing you can do is show up and enjoy the fair, there are a few other ways to show your support that help the fair keep running for years to come.
Turn up
Visiting the fair and having a good time is the best way to support the fair.
The more who attend, the better the fair and enjoying yourself by taking part in activities like the greasy pole or gurning helps keep the traditions at the core of the fair alive.
People from all across the world are welcome to visit and enter any and all events at the fair – some of the fair’s historic winners have actually come from overseas.
If you’re able to – having some food at the fair, buying from stall holders or visiting the different events taking place like the bike show, all also help the fair thrive.
We’ll be sharing the full programme of events for the fair on Wednesday September 17, so make sure you check back with us then!
Donate a few quid
Committee members will be out with donation buckets over the weekend and even just a few pounds helps out the team immensely.
This year’s fair has cost £59,000 to put on and committee members have to earn that money solely through fundraising efforts.
If you want to get more involved, the committee hosts several fundraising events throughout the year and weeks prior to the fair that it shares widely on its Facebook page.
This week’s events include a multi terrain race, taking place on Tuesday September 16. Entries will start from 5.30pm and the race will start at 6.30pm. The starting point is the Egremont War Memorial.
On Wednesday September 17, the fairground will officially open at 5pm on Chapel Street Car Park.
Also taking place on Wednesday is the duck race, which will take place at 6pm at Egremont Skate Park and entries are done on the night.
Get involved!
If you don’t fancy trying out the gurning or the greasy pole, there are dozens of different roles people take on to help the fair run smoothly.
These include things like being a volunteer on the weekend, offering up specialist skills or support, or joining the committee.
It’s also a great chance to get a little bit of experience in things like events management and stage support such as lighting, audio and more.
Getting involved also means getting stuck in at the fair, whether it’s turning up to support the live music and performers on stage or taking your children to enjoy the children’s activities at the fair or on the sports field or catching apples at the apple cart parade.
Tell others about the fair
Telling people about the fair, chatting about its history or sharing your own stories about it, keeps it alive.
Engaging with the fair and posts about it on social media and sharing your own tales and pictures online also helps it reach more people too.
Have you or someone you know got a story to tell about the fair? We’d love to hear about it. Email us at [email protected]
