Yarm High Street is set to be filled with bright lights, thumping music, and screaming thrill-seekers as the annual fair returns to town.

The event - which dates as far back as 1207 - will be back again between Thursday, October 17, and Saturday, October 19. 

The high street cobbles will be taken over by wild rides and street food stalls as hundreds of adults and children alike flock to the event across three days. 

Yarm Fair has only been cancelled twice in its centuries-long run -  once during the Covid pandemic, and for one day last year “in the interests of public safety” following stormy weather. 

Despite a bid from the Showmen's Guild North East earlier this year to extend the fair for one day following last year’s sudden cancellation, the fair will remain three days long. 

We’ve rounded up everything you need to know on the fair this year - so you’re all clued up when you head down. 
 

What are the opening times? 

Here is the full list of opening times for each day of the fair:

  • Thursday - 6pm until 10pm
  • Friday - 6pm until 10pm
  • Saturday - 1pm until 10pm

 

What rides will be at the fair? 

While details around what rides are yet to be confirmed, thrill seekers can expect a range of classic attractions, including the helter-skelter, dodgems, and ghost train. 

Yarm FairYarm Fair (Image: Yarm Fair Picture: NORTHERN ECHO)

Major attractions at the fair usually include the crazy frog, which bounces riders around in a circular motion, the Tageda, which is effectively a spinning bowl, the Miami, which rotates a row of seats around a wall, and the waltzers. 

Details regarding exactly what is in store this year will be revealed after the fair arrives in town on Tuesday evening. 
 

When are the roads closed? 

The High Street will be closed on Tuesday, October 15, between 6pm and 11pm as the fair moves into the town and begins the set-up. 

The road will then reopen as normal until the fair kick-off on Thursday, when it will close between 5.45pm and 10.45pm. 

On Friday, the road will be closed between 5.45pm and 10.45pm and then on Saturday, it will be shut for the longer time of 11.30am until 11.59pm. 
 

When is the Riding of the Fair? 

The riding of the fair is a centuries old tradition that sees horses trot their way up on down the High Street, in a nod to when the fair was a livestock trading event decades ago. 

This is expected to take place at 11.30am on Saturday - and will be followed by the blessing of the fair at 12.05pm. 

 

What is the weather looking like?

As things stand, the weather is looking pleasant across this weekend in Yarm, with thankfully no weather warnings or storms this year (so far).

  • Thursday - 17 degrees and sunny
  • Friday - 15 degrees and cloudy, changing to light rain by late morning
  • Saturday - 15 degrees, with sunny intervals changing to partly cloudy by early evening

The Met Office said: “Wet and windy on Wednesday, but warmer. Drier but cooler conditions should then spread from the west on Thursday. Friday perhaps starting fine, but becoming wet and windy again later.”
 

Are businesses still open during the fair? 

While some businesses close while the fair is on, others remain open as normal. Here’s a list of opening times for venues along the High Street: 

  • George and Dragon - open as normal
  • Feet First Of Yarm - closed until Tuesday, October 22
  • The Keys Restaurant - open every day until Thursday between 9am-10pm and then open Friday until Saturday between 9am and 11.30pm
  • The Flower Room - closed until Monday, October 21
  • Freeman Bespoke Jewellers - closed until Tuesday, October 22
  • Cloud Cuckoo - closed from Wednesday until Sunday, reopen Monday, October 21
  • Muse - closed until Wednesday, October 23
  • Attitudes Womenswear - closed Wednesday until Saturday
  • ProLaser Clinic - closed all week, reopens Wednesday, October 23
  • Osbournes - Closed Monday until Thursday, open Friday between 5pm and 1am and Saturday from 9.30am until 1am
  • Tomahawk Steakhouse - closed Monday to Thursday, open on Friday from 4pm until late and open as normal from 9am on Saturday and Sunday
  • The Black Bull - open Monday until Thursday between 11.30am and 9.30pm and open until late on Friday and Saturday

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  • Pizza & Co - Closed until Sunday, which will open from 4pm until 11pm
  • Lucy Pittaway - closed until Sunday, October 20
  • Sainsbury’s - open Monday to Friday from 7am until 9pm, on Saturday from 7am until 8pm and on Sunday from 10am until 4pm