The history of the Goose Fair
No one knows how many centuries the fair has existed, but the Charter of King Edward I - the first charter to refer to the city fairs, makes it clear that a fair on the Feast of St. Matthew was already established in Nottingham in 1284.
It is possible that this occasion has come down through the ages to be todays Goose Fair, particulary as until 1752 it was always held on St. Matthews day, ( September 20th ).
When the calender was revised in 1752, omitting eleven days from September, the date of the fair was switched to October 2nd and this remained the starting date until 1875.
Today, Goose Fair is held on the first Thursday, Friday and Saturday in October each year a mile or so North of the City of Nottingham. The fair, including the showmens' living vans covers about 18 acres.
There are about 55 riding machines, plus another 40 or so for children. A further 225 games stalls invite the public to have-a-go and another 400 sell everything from T-Shirts to hot dogs. Around a dozen side shows carry on the tradition of fairground entertainment.
The official openeing is signified at noon on the first day by the Lord Mayor of Nottingham, ringing a pair of silver bells after the Chief Executive and Town Clerk has read the proclamation in the presence of the Sheriff of Nottingham.
The Goose Fair is believed to be so called as in the past Geese were marched from Lincolnshire and Norfolk to be sold at the market and fair, as time drew on the market faded and entertainment became the order of the fair - leading to today where you can enjoy white knuckle rides, such as the Roller Coaster and Log Flume, or take a trip on the Big Wheel or Waltzers.