Ilkeston Charter Fair got under way on Wednesday, October 19, and residents came out in their thousands to roam the transformed streets surrounding the Market Place. Now in its 770th year, the fair still holds the same excitement and allure it always has, with visitors and stall owners weighing in on what makes this particular event so special.
Just 20 minutes after the fair's unofficial opening at 6pm on Wednesday, the streets of Ilkeston were already lined with people eager to get their first taste of what was on offer. With more than 40 rides to enjoy and a plethora of stalls to explore, it's difficult to see why the fair wouldn't be a must-visit for those in the surrounding areas, reports DerbyshireLive.
But stallholders and locals all agree that it's the community atmosphere that makes the four-day extravaganza so special. "We love the people and we love the atmosphere. All the stall owners say the Derbyshire people are spot on," says Michelle Walker, who runs the Sweet Things stall in Bath Street with her 18-year-old daughter Ava.
