The strangest thing about Abingdon Fair is that, even though we live only sixty yards from the fair, we do not hear the pulsating noise from the big rides until we leave the house.

This evening as we left the house, people from South Abingdon were streaming by, up West St Helen Street, towards the fair and the main thoroughfare along High Street and Ock Street.

On the corner of West St Helen Street you can get popcorn, candy floss, and toffee apples from the Fresh Fast Food stall.

As the night drew on there was still lots of youngsters enjoying hook a ducks (which have made a come back this year)

and the many children’s rides and harnessed trampolines.

Further on there are the dodgems, the ideal ride for parents and kids to enjoy together.

About half way along Ock Street you come to Hell’s Gate.

The bigger rides are on the Market Place and from Hell’s Gate to the end of Ock Street. Here the roads are wide enough to allow bigger rides and spectators and the passage of lots of people – all together. But nowhere on the route can take some of the biggest rides that you get at some of the other big fairs.

The weather was good, and there seemed to be lots of people enjoying themselves.

Yesterday it was raining and there was a line of traffic along Ock Street.

This morning the line of traffic was replaced by the stalls and rides of Abingdon Michaelmas Fair – the longest street fair in Europe.

Local people enjoy strolling the route, from the Market Place to the junction with Drayton Road, to watch the fair being set up .

The Michaelmas Fair coincides with the time when the trees of the Market Place turn deep red.

Old Michaelmas Day falls on 11 October and so the fair is the Monday and Tuesday before Old Michalemas Day.

After everything had been set up, and swept, and checked there was a time of rest, then at 8pm, in the evening, came the Fair Service.

The Mayor of Abingdon and Town Councillors processed to the Galloping Horses, and the Mayor thanked everybody involved in making the fair happen.

Ed Evans, from Abingdon Community Church, led the blessing of the fair which included three hymns, led by Abingdon Town Band, and some prayers.

After that councillors, and anybody who attended the service, were given a free ride on the Galloping Horses.

If you want to see the crowning of the May King and Queen in Abingdon and see Maypole Dancing then there is the May Fair at St Nicolas School on Saturday 12th May 2018.

Some of the national newspapers seem to have been making a thing about the revival of traditions such as Morris Dancing and Maypole Dancing. Sales of collapsible maypoles are doing very well, and young people are getting into Morris Dancing.

In 2006 there was a Spring Fair on Abingdon Market Place with Maypole Dancing by Dunmore School. That could have been the last time that happened in the town centre.

In 2006 there was an exhibition of children’s art in the Abbey Buildings. One work featured Maypole Dancing with children from Caldecott School.

This year there were two evenings with little or no rain. Crowds were probably bigger on Monday

but a lot of people were still out early on Tuesday.

2017 was a good year for doughnuts. A lot of vans were serving them.

The old Bellinger’s forecourt was fenced off and so the first aid ambulances were positioned on the main concourse instead. A Fire Engine was parked behind the Abbey Gateway.

Three Abingdon Restauarnts had an outside presence serving food and giving out takeaway menus.

Maria Lee was not only there for fortune telling, but also there to look after the present state of mind.

The fair will be gone when I set out early tomorrow morning at 6:45. Bins, overflowing with food wrappers, will be cleared away. Rides will have set off for their next venue. Just a few will be staying nearby for next weekend’s Runaway Fair.