One of Europe’s largest travelling fairs will return to Hull this week for its 730th year.
Opening this Friday (4 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 rollercoasters and 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 4pm by Lord Mayor, Councillor Mark Collinson, with the ringing on the bell on showman Mr WH Clark ride Waltzer XL.
Lord Mayor, Cllr Mark Collinson said: “Over 700 years, the fair has only ever got bigger and better, still drawing in crowds from far and wide.
“It is one of the city’s longest traditions and something we all look forward to.
“As always, the council has been working very closely with partners, including Humberside Police to ensure everyone enjoys their usual safe visits.
“I’m delighted to be officially opening this year’s fair and ringing the bell.”
Chief Superintendent, Paul Butler, said: “It is great to welcome Hull Fair back for another year and support the Showmen’s Guild and other partners to ensure everyone has an amazing time.
“Hull Fair has been visiting our city for many years and is a part of our history, making it a fantastic event for family and friends across our communities to enjoy the variety of rides and stalls.
“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 woodfired pizzas, crumble & custard, Korean corn dogs and garlic mushrooms.
For thrill-seekers, new large rides for this year include a Starfighter and Project X Ride.
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 12 October (closed Sunday 6 October) and opens from 2 – 11pm daily (from 12noon on Saturday).
A number of road closures and parking restrictions will be in place from 2 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 & rides from Priory Park and Humber Bridge carpark.
For further information about bus services and ticket prices, check out these handy guides from Stagecoach East Midlands and East Yorkshire Buses.
