One of Europe’s largest travelling fairs makes its annual return to the city today (Wednesday) as Goose Fair opens at the Forest Recreation Ground.
As is traditional, the fair will be officially opened on Thursday lunchtime with a ceremonial ringing of the silver bells at 12 noon. The bells will be rung by Cllr Councillor Liaqat Ali – Lord Mayor of Nottingham.
With a history that dates back more than 700 years, thrill-seekers can enjoy the usual mix of rides, stalls and sideshows. With an 80ft footprint, the epic Magic ride will return as one of the largest rides at the event; where riders will experience cycloid ride patterns, sometimes circular and sometimes triangular, with ever-changing acceleration effects, taking twists and turns to whole new level.
Traditionalists, can enjoy Galloper carousels, Swingboats, and the Cakewalk (the oldest ride at the Goose Fair) and fairground organs.
Food is always a highlight at the fair and along with the traditional Goose Fair foods of mushy peas and mint sauce, Grantham Gingerbread and Cocks on Sticks, visitors will be able to eat their way around the world with a diverse range of food from Chinese noodles, Spanish churros and paella, French crepes and German sausage.
A continental addition for this year is a raclette stall – a Swiss dish based on heating cheese and scraping off the melted part for a tasty snack – this is actually quite fitting… for as well the fair being famous for the sale of Geese, Goose Fair was known for its Autumn trade and enjoyed a reputation for its high-quality cheese, which in 1764 actually incited a cheese riot and huge cheeses were rolled down the slopes of Wheeler Gate and Peck Lane by angry customers.
Eat Culture, Nottingham City Council’s caterers will be the only caterer providing a vegan and vegetarian only menu at Goose Fair offering a variety of tasty meat-free and dairy-free dishes including Vegan Loaded Nachos and Falafel Pittas.
Visitors to the fair can get £25 of money-saving vouchers for a wide range of rides and attractions from www.whatsonnottingham.com or the Nottingham Post.
Cllr Dave Trimble, Portfolio Holder for Leisure and Localities said: “Like the many thousands of visitors each year, I love the sights and sounds and the thrill of trying the latest rides at Goose Fair. When I hear the barrel organs and smell the peas and candy floss, I really know it’s the beginning of autumn. I know it’s a calendar highlight for most families in the city and beyond and like them, I can’t wait to get down to the Forest Recreation Ground.”
Travel
With stops right by the Goose Fair entrance, trams or buses are the best way to travel to this world-famous event. With thousands of additional passengers, services will be adjusted to ensure smooth and efficient travel for everyone.
NET’s £5 Group Ticket offers unlimited tram travel for one or two adults and up to three kids from 4pm on weekdays and all day at weekends.
On the Nottingham City Transport Bus Network, the Grouprider Ride Together ticket is available every day after 9:30am on weekdays and all day at the weekend. Make unlimited journeys for the day with your family, partner or friends. A Grouprider covers up to 5 people (min 1 adult, max 2 adults) on every NCT bus in Nottingham for journeys within the city.
Nottingham City Transport will also be operating a Park and Ride service to Goose Fair from Queens Drive Park and Ride. Use the city council journey planner at https://www.transportnottingham.com/ to plan the best route for you.
Please note the Forest Park and Ride site will not be available during Goose Fair. Blue Badge event car parking at £6 per car is available.
Opening times
The 2018 Goose Fair will be take place from Wednesday 3 – Sunday 7 October
- Wednesday 4 October – 17:30 – 23:00
- Thursday 5 October – 12:00 – 23:00
- Friday 6 October – 11:00 – 23:30
- Saturday 7 October – 11:00 – 23:00
- Sunday 8 October – 13:00 – 21:00