The Monday of the Michaelmas Fair brought sunshine and blue skies — not the usual Abingdon Fair weather. Most of the big rides can be seen in the video above.

The fair is a huge event, filling the streets of Abingdon with rides such as the 40-metre-high Booster (above).

As the sun set, an orange glow spread over the town, and the fair grew even more spectacular — bright lights flashing, music and megaphone calls echoing, and crowds of excited visitors, especially the younger ones.

Much of the town centre closes to traffic for the fair, including Ock Street and the High Street from the Market Place. Its origins go back to the years following the Black Death of 1348–49, when justices of the peace set wage rates for the coming year at Michaelmas. Hiring agreements were made at the same time, giving rise to the Michaelmas hiring fair — a tradition that lasted into the early 1900s. Over time it evolved into the fun fair we enjoy today.

More pictures to follow on Tuesday when the moon will be full. It looked full on Monnday.