The Abingdon Michaelmas Fair opened this Monday with blue skies. Back in Victorian times, and before, this would have also been a hiring fair where farm workers could have found employment for the next year but these days it is a fun fair

with rides from the Market Place

through the Square

to the end of Ock Street

with burger and sweet seller stalls

with restaurants offering street food

and amusements throughout the day

and into the night.

Abingdon Michaelmas Fair is the longest street fair in the UK and takes place on High Street and Ock Street, Market Place and part of Stratton Way.

When I woke, I saw a trailer with a children’s Ferris wheel.

The top of West St Helen Street was closed to traffic.

Setting up the fair happens between 8 am and 2 pm. The run-in takes longer, and some vehicles and caravans arrive a few days before.

The rides are put into position and assembled. On the Market Place, The Victorian-style Galloping Horses take longer to put together than most of the more modern rides.

After all the poles and supports have been positioned and fixed, the horses await their turn in safety socks.

Horses are used for carrying people but must first be carried into position by people.

Later, at 7 pm, the Golden Galloping Horses provided the stage for the Fair Service, where people thanked God and the people who helped make the fair possible, including Mr and Mrs Wilson, Hebborns, fair workers and the town council. There were prayers for a peaceful and fun-filled fun fair. Hymns were sung, and there was a free ride.