Hull Fair

Picture of Hull Fair taken from the top of the Big Wheel, 2006

Hull Fair is one of Europe's largest traveling fairs.[1] In 1993 the fair celebrated its 700th anniversary.[1]

It comes to Hull, England for one week. The fair opens on the Friday closest to 11 October each year.[1] During this time the fair is open every day except Sunday.[2] Unlike small local fairs, Hull Fair attracts rides, attractions and travellers from a wide variety of different regions from around the country. the fair is opened by the Lord Mayor of Hull on the opening evening, normally at 5 pm. It first opened from 9 to 23 March 1278.[1]

In 1752 when the calendar changed in Great Britain, 11 days were lost. Wednesday, 2 September 1752 was followed by Thursday, 14 September 1752. The people of Hull believed this took away their fair. Angry mobs shouted “Give us back our eleven days”.[1] The outraged citizens were given their wish. Even since then, October 11th, or the Friday closest to it, became the fair's starting date.[3]

References

  1. 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 "The history of Hull Fair". Hull City Council. n.d. Retrieved 5 December 2014.
  2. James Campbell (11 October 2014). Ultimate guide to Hull Fair 2014: New 60mph ride Dreams Live among hundreds of attractions. http://www.hulldailymail.co.uk/Ultimate-guide-Hull-Fair-2014-New-60mph-ride/story-23056276-detail/story.html. Retrieved 5 December 2014. 
  3. "Hull Fair". The University of Sheffield. 2007. Archived from the original on 31 January 2015. Retrieved 5 December 2014.