The town's Charter was granted by Henry III in 1252 and the medieval fair was held for the first time in August of that year.
Back then, the archives show it consisted of a colourful range of agricultural trade and travelling pedlars and entertainers. As time moved on the August fair amalgamated with the Statutes, or Hiring Fair, held in October. It was there that farm labourers would be hired for the winter months.

After these two merged, the fair was held in October. The fair held on Market Street, spilled over to South Street, Pimlico, The Harrow Inn Yard and Old Stacks Yard in the middle of the 1800s as entertainers became the main attraction.
Revellers enjoyed entertainment from Phantoscopes, midgets, marionettes and the wax works. Everyone could try their hand in the shooting galleries and go on the swing boats and steam-driven children's horse ride.

During the 19th Century the biggest sellers on the stalls were pork pies, gingerbreads and toys. One of the most popular shows was run by Ilkeston man Samuel Taylor. He billed himself as the Giant of Ilkeston ... and standing 7ft 4in he wasn't far wrong.
There was entertainment from Samuel's brother the snake charmer, glass blower Mrs Taylor and a magic lantern show.

As the fair moved into the 20th Century it continued to grow apace. In 1908 during fair week there were 48,650 people travelling on Ilkeston's trams. Eventually, it all got out of hand. In 1914 the town experienced trouble during fair week and because of this no fair was held from 1916 to 1919. In contrast to these difficult years the 1920s became the great era of the gentle showmen for the Ilkeston Fair.
From 1922 to 1964 the fair would run from the Wednesday to the following Monday night, when showmen would make donations to the Ilkeston branch of the British Legion. Again in 1939 annual celebrations were interrupted by war, although an August fair was run on the Market Place.

After the war the Ilkeston Charter Fair celebrated its 700th birthday. The occasion was marked with a civic luncheon, where every school pupil in the town received a souvenir postcard of the charter. By the 1950s the fair was becoming dominated by the big shows, which all took place on the lower Market Place. One of the most popular was Beardow's Haunted Mill along with Billy Woods' Boxing Pavilion.

As the fair's popularity grew, extra buses were even laid on from Nottingham, despite the Goose Fair only taking place 11 days before.
And by the late 50s new rides were moving into the fair, including the Moonrocket, dodgems, gallopers, steam yachts, motorcycle speedway and the historic waltzer built by J P Collins & Sons. This machine was the first of its kind and graced the fair for nearly twenty years, making its final appearance in 1972. Nottingham showman James Mellors has been attending ever since Ilkeston Town Council was replaced by Erewash Borough Council in 1974.

The fair has now extended from the Market Place and Bath Street to include Pimlico, South Street, East Street and Queen Street.
The opening ceremony as always this year will start with the Mayor of Erewash Coun George Buckley officially declaring the fair open and the reading of the 1252 Charter by the council's chief executive.

Among the attractions at the 752nd event will be the usual selection of white knuckle rides, hot dogs, amusement stalls and the old favourite, the dodgems.
Festivities will continue until Saturday evening after which the stall holders and showmen will once again move out for another year.

Coun Ann Stevenson, lead member for leisure at Erewash Borough Council, said: "The Charter Fair's roots go back to the medieval period. It remains a strong part of Ilkeston's history and culture.
"The fair's longevity is a testament to the local folk and visitors who come every year in their droves to enjoy its magic. This year's Charter Fair will be the biggest and brightest yet, which is a truly landmark occasion."

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