Fun-Fair & Entertainments
The Fair from the air!
2022’s Fair
Added: 24th July, 2022
2023’s Fair
Added: 12th June, 2023
2024’s Fair
Added: 26th June, 2024
2025’s Fair
Added: 16th June, 2025
2026’s Fair
Added: 6th June, 2026
Our thanks to Graham Butlin for his Drone footage above! 👍. Please note: There is no soundtrack
For more of Graham’s work on this website, take a look at our Proclamation Monday page.
The Rowell Fair itself is a week-long celebration and includes traditional events. The Fair takes over the town centre with fairground rides, street entertainment, live bands, food and a range of stands and exhibitors.
Showmen’s Night
Takes place on the Wednesday evening before the Rowell Fair and is hosted by the Rowell Fair Society.
Showmen’s Night 2026 – Reliving Rowell Fairs of the past
Its aim is to welcome the Show-people and their families and to share memories with Fair films from the past.
The Fair opens at 2pm on the Saturday before the Proclamation and is open into the evening.
On the Trinity Sunday there is a Civic Service at Trinity Church followed by a civic parade in the town centre at 1:45pm and a Blessing of the Fair in the fairground, after which the Fair opens.
The Fair then opens weekday evenings and Saturday afternoon and evening.
Preparing for the Rides – What is “Pull on”?
“When a travelling Funfair arrives at a new location there is a process that is known as the “Pull on”. Prior to the arrival of the rides and attractions taking their positions, the person responsible for the ground – the lessee – will have marked the ground to show exactly where each piece of equipment is to go. This usually means a lot of work with the tape measure, spray paint and sometimes bolts hammered into the ground. An order of arrival is also necessary in some cases so as to ensure that everyone can get into their positions without obstruction from other equipment. Also to be considered is the effect on traffic disruption in the area.”
Frank York, Bailiff to the Lord of the Manor
…and “Pull down”?
“As a Fair draws to its conclusion the pull-down begins. Some of the rides and stalls will get a head start by removing some of the flash and lighting before the Fair opens for its final session. But when the Fair closes the real work starts. Everything is dismantled and repacked ready for moving on to the next Fair. For some equipment it’s a lot quicker than others. This year’s Fair at Rowell saw everything pulled down and leaving the streets by 2 o’clock on the Sunday morning. When our Chair was a child he remembers rides still ‘pulling down’ on the Sunday morning, breaking for an hour whilst the church service took place”.
Frank York – Bailiff to the Lord of the Manor
It’s then up early on Proclamation Monday morning for the reading of the ancient Charter.
Steeped in tradition…
…with an eye on the future!
Some of the families that make up the travelling fun fair have been coming to Rowell Fair for over 100 years. Many of the show people look forward to coming to Rothwell as they are warmly welcomed.
Our thanks to Martin Cooper from Fair-Pix.com for the excellent photos! 👍👍
The Rowell Fair Society works to ensure the heritage and traditions of the Rowell Fair, including our unique Proclamation, are not lost. We are a small group of enthusiastic volunteers who rely heavily on financial support through membership subscriptions, donations, fundraising and the occasional grant. If you have a passion for our traditions (whether you are local or global) and would like to support us, please visit our dedicated page. Thank-you!
Fair Attractions – then and now
Version 5 Uploaded: Tuesday 2 June 2026
Our thanks to Edd Hirst
This document that was featured on our previous Rowell Fair website. With fresh input from Society member and member of the Media Team, Edd Hirst, we’ve taken the opportunity to re-type it, add in even more information and give it a fresh coat of paint to make it easier to read. It features a chronological list of the Fun-Fair Attractions starting with the year, 1906.
Download a copy by clicking HERE
Includes 2026’s attractions! 😀
If anyone can help us fill some of gaps in this really important document,
drop us a line HERE.
Model Show
If the real thing isn’t exciting enough, there is also a Model Show at nearby Tresham Hall!
…and if all the fun of the Fair has you wanting more fun, don’t forget that the Fair Week has also featured…
Street Food
Vintage/Classic Car Show and other vehicles
Morris Dancers
Jugglers
Balloon Sculpting
Viking re-enactments
Pubs featuring live bands
See you there!!! 👍
The Rowell Fair Society works to ensure the heritage and traditions of the Rowell Fair, including our unique Proclamation, are not lost. We are a small group of enthusiastic volunteers who rely heavily on financial support through membership subscriptions, donations, fundraising and the occasional grant. If you have a passion for our traditions (whether you are local or global) and would like to support us, please visit our dedicated page. Thank-you!