The second, or Run-Away Michaelmas Fair was held on Abingdon Market Place this afternoon. It was a much smaller event than the main Michaelmas Fair last week. It comprised three roundabouts, an inflatable slide and two wagons serving fair food. The rides were all aimed at young children.

In days when hiring farm and domestic servants was more common, the Run-Away Fair followed the main Michaelmas Fair and gave servants the chance to seek a new position if the first did not work out. It was also an occasion for people from the surrounding countryside to come to Abingdon to make their Michaelmas purchases.

Michaelmas traditionally marked the change from summer to winter, when people put away their lighter clothes and brought out their warmer ones. The Run-Away fair gave them a chance to buy new clothing and other necessities in preparation for the colder months. (That is according to the Reading Mercury of Saturday, 20 October 1894)