HELP SAVE BALLYCLARE MAY FAIR

Ballyclare May Fair has been around for 252 years.   There have traditionally been some form of amusements in the Square dating back to as far as the  1880's.  

This year Newtownabbey Borough Council and Ballyclare Traders have finally got their wish - To get the Amusements out of the Square (for a 3 day Continental Market!).   

This will take the heart & soul out of the May Fair as the Square is theheart of the Town.   Other towns are trying to revive their Traditional Fairs and Ballyclare is trying to ruin theirs!   This tinkering with the May Fairs core will certainly kill the May Fair as the amusements at the Square are a very important role in the success of the fair.   The atmosphere, music, laughter,  squeals of delight and enjoyment, they are all necessary ingredients that  contribute to the long standing tradition of Ballyclare May Fair.   These need  to be retained in the Square. 

Half the fun of the fair for kids and adults (who will admit it) is the arrival of the fair to the square and the daily excitement, watching the magical transformation of lorries and bits of colourful metal turning into bright, fun filled amusements.   Turning a boring old car park into a magical Fun Fair.

We must hold on to the wonderful fair that has been handed down through hundreds of years and keep the magic of the Fair Coming To Town Alive.   

• WHAT IS A FAIR WITHOUT A FAIRGROUND?   
• WHERE IS THE FUN  FOR THE CHILDREN IN A CONTINENTAL MARKET?   
• HAVE TRADERS & COUNCILLORS FORGOTTEN WHAT THE FUN OF THE FAIR IS? 

HISTORY OF THE FAIR

'On the 16th of December 1756, George the Second, in a deed of grant, saw fit to grant the Marquis of Donegall a Deed of Grants for Fairs & Markets to be held in Ballyclare - these were the January Fair, a July 'Gooseberry' Fair and the May and November 'hiring' Fairs'  The May Fair is the only one of the four to have survived into the twentieth century.