One of Europe’s largest travelling fairs will return to Hull this week for its 729th year.
Opening this Friday 6 October, and taking over 16 acres of Walton Street car park, Hull Fair boasts attractions from across the country. This year there are more than 300 attractions from roller-coasters, white-knuckle-rides to hook-a-duck along with over 80 rides for children including trampolines, fun houses, helter skelters and mini versions of the teenage rides such as mini Miami, mini waltzer and jumping jack.
The fair will be officially opened at 5pm by Lord Mayor, Councillor Kalvin Neal with the ringing of the bell on showman Andrew Harniess’, Sea Storm.
Lord Mayor, Councillor Kalvin Neal said: “Hull Fair is one of the city’s biggest traditions, as well as one of its oldest, and attracts hundreds of thousands of people each year with residents and visitors who travel from further afield.
“It’s something we all look forward to and I have no doubt this year will be no different.
“As always, the council has been working incredibly hard with partners, including Humberside Police to ensure everyone visiting enjoys their usual safe experience.
“I’m honoured to be ringing the bell and declaring 2023’s fair officially open!”
Chief Superintendent Christine Wilson said: “Last year was a great success and we are looking forward to supporting Hull City Council, the Showmen’s Guild, and other partners to ensure everyone enjoys the fair.
“Our teams will be at the fair every day and night to make sure that both visitors and workers feel safe throughout the week. Please come and speak to us to report any concerns or to tell us about your time at the fair again.
“Whilst we really want everyone who visits the fair to have an amazing time, I want to make it clear that those who come and commit crime or antisocial behaviour will be dealt with robustly by my teams to ensure that everyone else enjoys their time at the fair.
“If you have any concerns about anything you see at the fair, please come and speak with the Hull City Council stewards or any of the police officers who will be on the podiums as they are every year.
“You can also get in touch by calling our non-emergency number 101 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111. If someone is in immediate danger or there is a crime in progress call 999.”
New food and drink offers for this year include bubble tea, loaded hot chocs, footlong fries, and whoopie pies.
For thrill-seekers, new rides for this year include a drop and twist tower, and newly manufactured extreme ride Air Raid.
For those who like to keep their feet firmly on the ground there are in excess of 100 stalls offering games such as bingo, hook-a-duck and darts.
The fair will run until Saturday 14 October (closed Sunday 8 October) and opens from 2 – 11pm daily (from 12noon on Saturday).
A number of road closures and parking restrictions will be in place from 4 October. They can be found here.
Limited parking is available within the MKM Stadium carpark, charged at £6 per car. Additional Hull Fair buses will be operating as well as park n rides from Priory Park and Humber Bridge carpark.
