With only a month to go, plans for the 2014 Alderley Edge May Fair and Parade are well underway - bringing something for everyone to enjoy.
New for this year, the celebrations will kick off the evening before with a fun bowling competition in the park, starting at 5.30pm on Friday 16th May. This will be followed by the Alderley Edge Fun Run which will start in the park at 7pm. After the run finishes there will be an evening of entertainment in the park with open mic performances on the Golden Triangle Stage, a licensed bar and hog roast.
Organiser Christine Munro said "Local people will be able to come along and chill out whilst listening to the music and weather permitting the go-karts, along with some of the fairground rides will be open."
On Saturday 17th May the fun will begin from 10.30am when bands will entertain the crowds on London Road ahead of the parade, which will set off from Chorley Hall Playing Fields at 11am. Featuring local children dressed in fancy dress, pipe and brass bands, cheerleaders and dancers, vintage fire engines and tractors, samba band, animals and many more.
The parade will be led by the Wizard and May Queens: Lucy Peers (11), Tess Foster (8) and Maggie Foster (6) who will travel down London Road in a horse drawn carriage. The parade will then stop a few times on the way to give participants the chance to perform, before heading into the park where the May Fair will be declared officially open.
The afternoon's entertainment will start with the judging of the fancy dress competition, followed by a town crier competition. John Parsons, Nantwich Town Crier, will be attending this year and bringing along little costumes for the children to dress up in, he will then teach them how to be a town crier and award the winner with a prize.
Entertainment in the park will also include the Fun Dog Show and Tug of War organised by Bosley Tug of War Club. Teams of six will receive guidance ahead of this fun event and there will be prizes for both adults and children.
There will also be a full programme of events right through to 5pm at both the Wizard's Arena and Golden Triangle Stage including a falconry display featuring a golden eagle and performances by the Alderley Edge Primary School Choir, samba band, Davyhulme Scouts Brass Band, Pepper Town Jazz Band, Flyball Dog Display and Sylk Dance Academy.
Additionally, visitors will be able to enjoy the funfair, zorb balls, climbing wall, hockey, bouncy castles, petting animals, Punch & Judy, go-karts and many more attractions. There will be plenty of options when it comes to refreshments as well, supplied by local businesses, and a selection of craft and artisan stalls to wander around.
Christine Munro told alderleyedge.com "I personally think we have a lot more people interested in helping us this year and being part of it. It is really nice to have the fun run and bowling event on the Friday evening as an extension - I am really excited about it."
She added "It is really nice that people want to help us and be involved and regardless of the weather we will have a really great day."
The week before the big event a May Fair Quiz will be held at The Yard, starting at 7.30pm on Wednesday 7th May. Tickets, which cost £10 and include a light supper, are available from Mr Simms Olde Sweet Shop or at the door on the night (subject to availability). People are welcome to form a team beforehand or join with others on the night.
Free parking will be available on the day at the Chorley Hall Lane Playing Fields - just 50 metres from the park entrance. It is convenient, safe and friendly to local residents so visitors are encouraged to be good neighbours and not have to worry about getting a parking ticket.
Chorley Hall Lane, London Road and Ryleys Lane will be closed from 10.30am to 12pm on Saturday 17th May for the parade.
The Alderley Edge May Fair is a free not-for-profit event run by a small group of volunteers who give up their free time to organise this wonderful community event. They desperately need more people to help them on the day, so even if you can only spare them an hour, that would be very much appreciated.
They particularly need help on the day of the May Fair, Saturday 17th May:
- 7.45am-10am: Helping direct stallholders to their positions, helping them unload and directing them to the car park. Managing car parking and manning the organisers tent.
- 10am-12pm: Helping organise the parade entrants and manning the side roads through the village. Manning the organisers tent.
- 12pm-5pm: Checking on litter bins and keeping the park tidy. Manning the organisers tent. Directing cars on Ryleys Lane to Chorley Hall Lane car park.
If you can help please email Geoff Hall or call him on 01625 581321.
Raffle tickets will be for sale beforehand and on the day with a selection of prizes kindly donated by local businesses.
For more information on the Fun Bowling call Kate Barraclough on 01625 583897 or Anna Bainbrigge on 01625 585702. For more information on the Tug of War contact Sam Etchells on 07738 222600.
