Celebrate autumn in Cumbria with apples, parades, wrestling and gurning

When: 14th & 15th September 2018

Where: Egremont, Cumbria

£: Most events are free (including the parade and the Dancing in the Street event) The championships are free to enter and attend, but donations are appreciated.  Entry to the fair field for Crab Fest costs £6 for adults, and £3 for seniors and children.  Children under 5 years go free

What is it?

The annual Egremont Crab Fair takes place on Saturday 15th September with a whole day of events including the World Gurning Championships.

The Crab Fair originally began in 1267 and is one of the oldest fairs in the world.  The fair gets its name from the giving away of crab apples, a tradition started by the Lord of Egremont.

The fair day still begins with the unique Parade of the Apple Cart, where apples are thrown to the crowds along the street.  This year’s parade will take place at 12.30pm.

There will be entertainment throughout the afternoon and evening on the Crab Fair Field with Crab Fest. This year there will be traditional fun fair rides, children’s entertainers, a quad bike stunt show, craft stalls, a beer tent, and a gin and fizz bar.

Traditional sports will also take place in the field, with events such as ferret racing, Cumberland & Westmorland Wrestling, wheelbarrow races, a pig’s bladder football game and terrier racing.  As well as the traditional entertainment, there will be live music from Jolan and The Northern Threads.

The World Gurning Championships take place in the evening at the Market Hall.  The competition is free to enter, although donations are appreciated.  Participants simply need to turn up and be able to pull a good gurning face.  The championships are a popular event, so turn up in good time!

A gurn is simply a distorted facial expression.  Those judged to be the best on the night will be crowned the champions. So get practising and head to the World Gurning Championships!

As well as the championships, there will be a Dancing in the Street event on the Friday night, with live music.  The event is free to attend but there is a suggested donation of £1 to help keep the event running.

More info: www.facebook.com/EgremontCrabFairWorldGurningChampionships and www.egremontcrabfair.com