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After 27 years of the Victorian theme and having
seen so many other towns copy the formula with, it has to be said, their
paler imitations Kirkby Lonsdale has decided, once again, to lead from
the front and breathe some fresh air into the end of season event.
After all even the Victorians got bored and moved on!
The promise of the new Fair is all the fun of the old Fair without all
the dressing up!
At this years Fair you will find a bigger-than-before traditional
Fairground covering the market square, a treasure trove of over 50
stalls on car park number one, down New Road and in the Institute
offering everything from locally produced foods to fascinating arts and
crafts.
Throughout Main Street and Market Street there will be a scattering
of skilled country people demonstrating their skills, everything from
basket making to paper making, and of course a wealth of fabulous street
entertainment. As well as the musical talents of the Red Rosettes, the
Lune Valley Jazz Band, the Weird String Band and the Preston Barber Shop
look out for Charlie Chaplin, Punch and Judy, Astral Circus, Fairies on
Stilts (back by popular demand), the Horwich Morris Men and much
more. Add to this the traditional Kirkby Lonsdale hospitality and you €™have
got a weekend to remember in store.
Add to all of this the beautiful Kirkby Lonsdale setting the
excellent range of independently owned shops, the great choice of cafes,
pubs and eating houses and the fact that the Royal Hotel is now
resplendent in its renovation and due to open anytime soon.
Parking is free at the Rugby Club.
A Park and Ride Bus service is laid on for those who prefer not to
enjoy the beautiful river side walk into town.
Programmes, which cover the Christmas Fair in December as well, are
included with the entry fee which this year is £2.50 for adults (kids
get in free of charge as usual).
It is sure to be a weekend to remember, and with the credit crunch
biting hard why not come along for a real value for money weekends
entertainment and see how things have changed in Kirkby Lonsdale.
Incidentally there are more changes planned for next year as we €™have
decided to race the Kirkby Lonsdale Tardis through the decades so don €™t
be surprised when our Fair for 2009 land for a Swinging Sixties weekend.
The Old Victorian Fair
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| After a year's absence caused by the Foot & Mouth outbreak, it is a pleasure to welcome you to the Victorian Fair and to our market town of Kirkby Lonsdale. If the pace of modern day life is wearing you down then a visit to Kirkby Lonsdale is the answer. Every year the residents of Kirkby Lonsdale take a step back to Victorian times to see the splendour of an age gone by.
On average, the two-day Victorian Fair attracts in excess of 20,000 people and there is something for everyone. Come and enjoy the old-fashioned and varied entertainments taking place throughout the town over the weekend.
There will be many varied acts including The Brass Band, Jugglers, Harmony Singers, Punch & Judy Shows, Fire Eaters, Stilt Walkers, Comedy Shows with Dancing and music performing at all times.
There are demonstrations by Master Thatcher, Coracle Maker and craft displays in the Methodist and St. Mary's Churches. The fire station will be open both days to train young & old would-be
fire-fighters.
Why not come to the fair in Victorian dress and join in the parade and competitions. They are open to all and you can enter on the day. Competitions are staged for the best fancy-dress costumes in various categories including the crowning of the Victorian Princess. There will also be a farriers competition on Sunday with up to 16 farriers & horses sponsored by The Londonderry Forge Supplies and a Raffle Prize Draw both days.
The main streets will be transformed as the shopkeepers dress their windows and decorate stalls outside in true Victorian style, and with the town centre being closed off to vehicles, you can browse through the streets at your leisure. With the expected rush of visitors, ample car and coach parking is made available within easy walking distance of the town centre. Kind donations would help, please.
Whilst we are again able to offer free parking for visitors, we hope you will fully understand and support our decision to ask for a nominal entry fee, in order that we can contribute this to charities and organisations in the area. | |
Many of you we are sure have visited Kirkby Lonsdale before, and probably the Victorian Fair too, so no doubt you will be familiar with 'THE PEELERS'. If you are not and this is your first visit, let us explain what is going on. As you wander around the town, you will notice that some men are dressed up as 'Victorian Policemen' - They are 'THE PEELERS'. You will see that they approach people who are not dressed in Victorian costume and in exchange for 20p give them a 'fine' sheet. This is done in a very light hearted fashion - so, if they stop you - please remember that the money you give goes to helping our St. Mary's Church - Thank you.
In 2000, £8,000 was distributed between the organisations who each received £1000. Over the last 10 years £56,000 has been distributed. In addition to the above, additional funds were raised during the Victorian Fair weekend by other organisations such as Churches, Mencap, Animal Care, to mention just a few. The share received by the Victorian Fair is used to re-invest in future fairs.
The 2000 Fair cost £16,000 to put on. Every fair takes eight months of planning, and the members of the Victorian Fair Committee expect every year's event to get better and better.
The Victorian Fair is an opportunity to put Kirkby Lonsdale deservedly on the tourists map and bring trade and interest to the town, but more than that, the aim is to make this year's Fair an event for all the community, by the community. No matter how long or short your stay, we regard you as part of our community and hope you will be able to experience and enjoy the charm and character of Kirkby Lonsdale and hopefully visit again and again. Whether you are a first time visitor, one of our many regular Victorian Fair visitors, here for the day or spending the weekend with us, we hope and feel sure that you will be made to feel welcome.
A Victorian Fair programme is available for £1 from the local newsagents, and many stores around the town. |
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