Get ready for a heart-pounding experience as the historic Yarm Fair 2024 returns to Yarm, North Yorkshire this October. This popular annual event promises a memorable outing for all ages, with a focus on exhilarating fairground rides, tempting food stalls, and even a touch of mystique with gypsy fortune tellers.
Yarm Fair Key Details:
Despite proposals from organisers The Showman’s Guild to extend the fair an extra day in 2024, the fair will remain a three day event, although it arrives in the High Street on the Tuesday evening before the opening night on the Thursday.
- Dates:
- Thursday, October 17th: 6pm – 10pm
- Friday, October 18th: 6pm – 10pm
- Saturday, October 19th: 1pm – 10pm
- Location: High Street, Yarm, Stockton-on-Tees
- Admission: Free. Rides individually priced (Average Yarm Fair Prices: £4)
- Special Events:
- Blessing: 12:05pm on Saturday, October 19th in front of the dodgems
- Riding of the Fair: 11:30am on Saturday, October 19th
- The Flashings: From 11:30am on Saturday, October 19th
What to Expect at Yarm Fair:
Yarm Fair 2024 is a feast for the senses:
- Thrilling Fairground Rides: Brace yourself for a wide array of rides that will get your adrenaline pumping! Experience the popular Odeon Tagada and Crazy Frog rides from Yarm Fair, along with many other exciting attractions.
- Delicious Food Stalls: Indulge in a culinary adventure with a variety of food stalls offering mouth-watering treats including burgers, hot dogs, churros and candy floss to satisfy every craving.
- Gypsy Fortune Tellers: Step into the mystical world and have your fortune read by the enigmatic gypsy fortune tellers.
- Lively Atmosphere: Soak up the vibrant energy of the fair with live music and a festive ambiance.
- Historic Charm: Discover the rich history of Yarm as the fair takes place in the shadow of the town’s picturesque high street.
- Blessing of the Fair: A centuries-old tradition where a member of the local clergy offers a blessing for the safety and success of the fair, usually held in front of the dodgems. This short ceremony acknowledges the fair’s long history and its significance to the community.
- Riding of the Fair: While originating as a procession on horseback, the modern-day Riding of the Fair often sees dignitaries proceeding on foot down Yarm High Street to officially open the fair. This symbolises the fair’s historic roots as a horse fair, dating back to a charter from King John in 1207. Occasionally, the procession has involved a trailer towed by a traction engine, adding a modern twist to the tradition.
- Flashings: A thrilling spectacle where horses are ridden (and sometimes driven in traps) at high speeds along the High Street. Stemming from Yarm Fair’s origins as a horse fair, the Flashings were a way to showcase the horses’ qualities to potential buyers. Today, it remains a captivating display of horsemanship, though spectators are urged to be mindful of safety and keep a safe distance.
Yarm Fair Rides
Yarm Fair always features a wide variety of rides for all ages. The following rides have been confirmed for Yarm Fair 2024, including favourites from Murphy’s Crow’s and Turner’s:
- Extreme – A number of cars spun by a rotating axis
- Tagada – Spinning bouncing bowl with no restraints
- Ghost Train – Tracked ride through the dark with special effects
- Miami – A row of seats that are rotated clockwise and anticlockwise in a vertical circle by two arms
- Waltzers – Classic fairground ride with a number of cars which spin freely while rotating around a central point
- Rotor – A spinning drum within which riders stand against the outer wall. When the ride is in motion, the floor moves downward away from the riders’ feet and they are held to the sides of the drum by centripetal force.
- Formula – A children’s ride in formula cars
- Ice Dragon – A children’s roller coaster with an ice dragon theme
- Kicker: A thrilling ride where riders are strapped into seats and propelled upwards and downwards, often with a spinning motion.
- Big Wheel: A classic ride featuring a giant Ferris wheel with enclosed gondolas, offering panoramic views of the high street.
- Carousel: A nostalgic ride with painted wooden horses or chariots that move in a circular motion, with rising and falling motions.
- Funhouse: A maze-like attraction filled with slides, climbing walls, and other physical challenges.
- Crazy Frog: A spinning ride with seats that move up and down and side to side, with a frog themed design.
- Dodgems: Bumper cars where riders control their vehicles and try to collide with others in a controlled, fun environment.
- Hoopla: A skill game where players try to throw rings onto prizes.
- Tea Cups: A spinning ride where riders sit in teacup-shaped vehicles that can be controlled to spin faster or slower.
Important Information & Travel:
- Road Closures: Yarm High Street will be CLOSED during the fair’s operational hours and during the arrival on the Tuesday. During these times traffic will be diverted down Bridge Street/West Street/Bentley Wynd, and a clearway will be in operation. The closure times are:
- Tuesday 15 October 6pm – 11pm
- Thursday 17 October 5.45pm – 10.45pm
- Friday 18 October 5.45pm – 10.45pm
- Saturday 19 October 11.30am – 11.59pm
- Parking: Parking is limited in Yarm with town centre car parks operating as permit holder only, however Yarm School car park on The Spital will be available for visitors to the fair – there is no charge to park. Alternatively, take advantage of the regular bus services, which will run to The Spital and Bridge Street during the fair’s opening hours.
- Public Transport: There is expected to be significant disruption to bus services due to the fair, with further details of these below. Temporary bus stops will be operational on Bridge Street.
- Taxis: A taxi rank will be set up on Yarm Road between the Cleveland Bay pub and Butts Lane.
- Accessibility: The fair strives to be accessible to all visitors. Contact the organisers for specific accessibility information.
Arriva Bus Service 7 Diversions for Yarm Fair
Due to the Yarm Fair, Arriva Bus service 7 will be diverted on the 15th, 17th, 18th, and 19th of October. Normal service applies on Wednesday the 16th.
Tuesday 15th, Thursday 17th, and Friday 18th:
- Towards Yarm: Last bus through Yarm High Street is the 17:01 from Stockton (arriving in Yarm at 17:30). After this, buses will terminate at Butts Lane.
- Towards Stockton: Last bus through Yarm High Street is the 17:21 from Kirklevington (departing Yarm at 17:47). After this, buses will start from Butts Lane.
Saturday 19th:
- Towards Yarm: Buses to Kirklevington will divert via West Street and Bentley Wynd. Buses to Willey Flatts will terminate at Butts Lane. Last bus to Kirklevington and Willey Flatts is the 16:51 from Stockton. After this, all buses will terminate at Butts Lane.
- Towards Stockton: Buses from Kirklevington will divert via Bentley Wynd and West Street. Buses from Willey Flatts will start from Butts Lane. Last bus from Kirklevington and Willey Flatts is the 17:45 from Kirklevington.
Passengers are advised to check the Arriva Bus website or app for the most up-to-date information.
Don’t Miss Out!
Yarm Fair 2024 is an unmissable event filled with thrills, flavours, and a touch of magic. Gather your loved ones and create unforgettable memories at this cherished tradition!
Last Updated on 15 October 2024