Tewkesbury’s historic Mop Fair will return this week, lighting up the town centre with two days of rides, food and fun.
The fair, hailed as the largest street fair in the West of England, will take over the streets on Thursday and Friday, offering more than 50 attractions — from traditional favourites to modern thrill rides.
Shops, cafés, pubs and restaurants will remain open as the celebrations draw visitors from across the region.
Rooted in centuries-old tradition, the Mop Fair dates back to the days when servants and farmhands gathered each autumn to seek new work, carrying symbols of their trade such as mops or pitchforks. Today, it continues that heritage as a colourful community event that fills the town with life.
The fair will run from 4pm to 11pm on Thursday and from 10am to 11pm on Friday. The Mayor of Tewkesbury Borough, Councillor Kashan Pervaiz, will officially open the event with a short ceremony at The Cross at 4pm on Thursday.
To make way for the fair, several roads and car parks will be closed from Tuesday 7 October, including Spring Gardens and Rails Meadow car parks. Barton Street, East Street, Nelson Street and part of Oldbury Road will close from 6am on Thursday, with a short closure of Church Street during the mayoral procession.
All streets and car parks are due to reopen by Saturday morning, 11 October.
Residents are advised to check parking restrictions in advance, as enforcement will begin early on Thursday.
Gloucester News Centre – http://gloucesternewscentre.co.uk
Original post on the Gloucestershire News Centre website
Gloucestershire News Centre