With a just over five weeks to go plans for the Alderley Edge May Fair are well underway.
Now firmly established as a highlight in the village's social calendar, the 2016 May Fair promises to be bigger, better and busier than ever - and entrance is free!
Organisers are putting together a week of events leading up to the main event which is on Saturday 21st May, kicking off on Saturday 14th May with a 1940s dance at the Festival Hall featuring the Swing Commanders, Europe's No.1 Western Swing Band, and host DJ G.I. Jive.
This will be followed by a quiz at The Botanist on Sunday 15th May 2016 and a summer BBQ with live jazz performed by the talented keyboard player and singer Jeremy Sassoon, which will be hosted at Aldeli on Thursday 19th May.
On Friday 20th May there will be an evening of activity and live entertainment in the park, commencing at 5pm with a crown green bowling competition, organised by Travel by Design.
For the second year they will also be hosting a fun 5-a-side footie competition for all grown-ups who enjoy a kick about. Organised by John Marshall it will kick off at 6pm and teams of mates, colleagues, relatives etc are all welcome. The limit is 20 teams, entrance is on first come basis and £50 per team.
There will also be a 5k Fun Run, organised by Physio Fit, starting at 7pm and raising money for CRY.
Angie Jackson commented "We welcome anyone of any ability to either walk, run or Nordic Walk. A donation of £5-10 per person towards our nominated charity will be greatly appreciated.
"This really is a fun run, with an energetic (side splitting) warm up you can choose to race across the open countryside or take a more sedate route allowing time to take in our beautiful surroundings."
Live Music will be then be playing in the marquee from 8pm to 10pm, the funfair rides will be open until 9pm and this year feature 'The Booster - a 120ft high ride'.
There will also be food outlets serving hot and cold food and licenced bars offering quality wines and beers.
Then on the big day, Saturday 21st May, the May Fair will commence at 11am with the Parade. Setting off from Chorley Hall Playing Fields it will travel through the village led by the White Horse and Wizard of Alderley.
The parade will include the Chester Giants, British Legion veterans, fancy dress entrants (this year no theme so anything goes), dancers, bands, entertainers, military vehicles, vintage cars and bikes, the May Queen and attendants, plus lots more.
The ever popular Fun Dog Show will commence at 2pm and other highlights include children's fancy dress competition, high adrenalin funfair, circus acts, open mic sessions, and artisan market stalls.
The fun doesn't end there though because this year the May Fair will be followed by an artisan market with a picnic in the park theme on Sunday 22nd May.
However, in order to make all of this possible the May Fair committee looking for local people to get involved and volunteer to help on Friday 20th May and Saturday 21st May including bar staff, marshals, general assistants, litter pickers and people to run the information desk.
The annual Alderley Edge May Fair is a community event organised by a small committee of volunteers. Any profits made are ploughed back in to next years' event to ensure they can continue to provide our amazing village with a fantastic annual community event.
Volunteer, Liz Marshall said, "We'd love to encourage more local people to be part of the May Fair. Most of our helpers chip in for an hour or two and still have plenty of time to enjoy the fair."
If you would like to put your name forward to help on the day email Colin Mills on or to volunteer to help behind the bar, email Liz Marshall or call her on 07910 773747
See our events calendar for more details on all the events taking place throughout the May Fair week.
