For Immediate Release  13:02 - 13 October 2006

FAIR TOWN

Goose Fair may have only just left town but it's already time for adrenaline junkies to start gearing themselves up for the next big event in the thrills and spills calendar.

The highly popular and, many would argue, far more atmospheric Ilkeston Charter Fair gets under way on Wednesday with 100,000 people expected over the next four days.

This 754th annual extravaganza is different from its younger rival Goose Fair in many ways - the crucial point being that this is an old-fashioned street event stretching all over the town centre. It all ends up providing an intense and rather thrilling atmosphere - with the noise, smells, tightly packed crowds and dazzling lights serving up a unique concoction.
Ilkeston Fair - which is of course known to locals as Ilson Fair - has been running ever since Henry III granted a charter for an annual agricultural trade show in 1252. This medieval event was traditionally held on the Feast of the Assumption in August, but in 1888 it was switched to October to coincide with the annual job hiring fair.

Of course, there are virtually no animals to be seen at the modern event and the only hiring that goes on is extra staff at the pubs.

No, what the modern fair is all about is rides, rides, rides.

As you might imagine, the showmen and their various luxury trailers and caravans rather take over Ilkeston from this Sunday onwards, so many of the main car parks in the town, together with some roads, will be closed. One of the simplest ways to get there is on the Trentbarton R2 bus from the Victoria Centre (details on 01773 712265), or head to the car parks at White Lion Square or the old Safeway supermarket. Find out more at www.ilkestonfair.co.uk