ONE of Oxford's most historic annual events is back this year following its cancellation in 2020 due to Covid.

St Giles' Fair will take place on September 6 and 7.

It will be open from 11am to 11pm on both days.

Last year it was cancelled as it would be impossible to guarantee safe social distancing.

Oxford Mail:

But now that restrictions have lifted, the fair is set to go ahead.

There are road closures planned for September 5-8 in the area to allow for the fair to take place.

The fair is normally held on the Monday and Tuesday following the first Sunday after St Giles' Day (September 1).

The fair dates back to 1625 when it was a parish festival to celebrate the feast of the patron saint, St Giles. In the 18th century it was a toy fair, then in the early 19th century it was a general children’s fair. 

ALSO READ: St Giles Fair 2020 should not have been cancelled says funfair boss

The funfair grew during mid and late Victorian times. 

Oxford Mail:

This was a time when improved means of transport meant that large numbers of people could be brought into the city to attend the festivities. 

It was also when the forerunners of today’s rides were first developed following advances in mechanical engineering.

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