Preparations are well underway for Keswick’s popular Victorian Fayre in front of the Moot Hall and in Packhorse Court on Sunday December 3.
The aim of the event is to provide a basis for local charities and organisations to raise money and have a bright festive start to the Christmas period as well as encouraging people to visit the town.
This year there will be more than 30 stalls selling all manner of gifts, festive food and drink, decorations and hosting games such as whack-a-rat, bran-tub dips and of course the famous KVF raffle. The stall holders will be dressed up in Victorian gear as far as possible.
There will be a concert running all day comprising brass bands, choirs, local musicians, dancers, and bell ringers.
The programme will finish with a session of carols sung by Committed to Rock with Cockermouth Mechanics Band.
Packhorse Court will host another concert running in parallel to the main concert with similar bands, dancers and choirs.
Concerts will be compered by two well-known singers from Kendal Amateur Operatic Society, Neil Airy and Chris Briggs in their usual inimitable fashion and suitably attired.
Father Christmas will appear on the stage and then lead children of all ages to his grotto where gifts provided by Booths and Friars will be given to all of them. There will be a sleigh parked up near the grotto which will allow parents and or guardians to take photographs.
There is a funfair running all day by The Moot Hall for smaller children and dancers will appear from time to time in the main square.
The fair will be officially opened by Samantha Scott, High Sheriff of Cumbria, and by Keswick mayor, Cllr Steve Harwood. Both will tour all the stands and award a prize at the end of the day to the best dressed stall.
At the same time the prize winners who bought raffle tickets from KVF committee members will be announced. Prizes are given by local shops and businesses.
The event starts at 10.30am and will finish at 4pm.
The KVF committee would like to thank all its sponsors, Keswick and Bassenthwaite Rotary Clubs, Keswick Lions. Lake District Hotels, Quilter Private Client Advisers, EMG Solicitors, Packhorse Court and Scottish Midland Co-op.
