March is gearing itself up for the town’s biggest annual event – St George’s Fayre on Sunday April 27 - by bunting going up around the town from next week.
On Friday April 25 the Market Place will be staging a visiting continental market with about 25 traders offering a wide range of European goods and foods. On Saturday the community market will celebrate British Beef Week, when Russell’s of Upwell will be offering discounts on meat sales and there will be food tasting and crafts for children.
The Fayre itself promises to be the best yet, according to Mayor Andrew Pugh, with a packed programme of entertainment for the expected 8,000-plus visitors.
Councillor Pop Jolley, FDC’s Cabinet member responsible for markets and events, said: “The Fayre is one of Fenland’s biggest annual events, so we’re looking forward to welcoming thousands of visitors to March again this year. The programme for the day itself is looking better than ever and we’re also hoping that lots of people will come along and make the most of the two special market days as well.”
It will kick off with the grand parade, departing from Bevills Place at 10.30am and arriving at the War Memorial ready for the official opening at 11am.
There will be two performance stages, one in the War Memorial area and a second outside Iceland and about 150 traders and other attractions throughout the town centre.
The event is one of the Four Seasons events organised by Fenland District Council working together with the town council and a dedicated group of community representatives.
This year’s highlights include a Spitfire flypast by the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight expected around 1.40pm.
Music from performers that include 16-year-old singer-songwriter Misty Jones, March singer Luci Collins, the bands Wild Honey and Gifford and Elvis impersonator Gary Jay, as well as the band from Burrowmoor School.
Dance from female morris dancers from the Ely & Littleport Riot, plus Sarah’s Street Style Dance and Dance Mania.
Theatre from March Youth Theatre and musical theatre group Madaos.
Art from In the Mix exhibition with works by professional and semi-professional artists, plus a display of the winning entries and other finalists in the art and photography competition sponsored by leading local artist John Abbott.
In addition, the Fayre will feature a bigger than ever craft fair with about 40 stalls, plus boat trips, a duck race and a children’s fancy dress competition.
People will also be able to try their hand at various circus skills or wash their dirty linen in public at a Victorian Washday at the museum, where members of the March Vintage Cycle Club will be in period costume.
During the afternoon there will be a big parade of local Scouts from Elwyn Road behind the town hall to St Peter’s Church.
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