All the fun of the Banbury Fair returns next week

Banbury Fair. Banbury's annual Michaelmas Fair.

The three-day event will be declared officially open at 4pm on Wednesday, 17 October, when a member of the Wilson family, which owns the fair, presents a golden key to Cherwell District Council chairman Cllr Maurice Billington and Banbury Town Mayor Cllr Shaida Hussain.

Cllr Billington said: “The Michaelmas Fair has been a chartered event in Banbury for over 400 years and it will be a real delight to be involved in officially opening it.

“Thousands of people turn out for the fair every year and its popularity is enduring with everyone who takes part.”

The fair runs until late on the evening of Friday, October 19. Cherwell’s street cleansing team will then blitz the town centre overnight in time for the regular Saturday market.

Cllr Hussain said: “As a child I always looked forward to Banbury’s Michaelmas Fair, I have a lot of happy memories spending time with my family and friends on very scary rides.

She added: “ I hope this year brings the community together for lots of fun.”

The fair will start setting up in Banbury on Tuesday, October 16 and be primarily located in Horsefair, North Bar, Market Place and Bridge Street.

Road and car park closures will be in effect from Tuesday, October 16. Banbury market will not operate on Thursday, October 18.