After four long years Egremont Crab Fair and World Gurning Championship is back for 2023, so here’s a round-up of everything you need to know from key times to the weekend’s weather.

To celebrate the return of the festival, which takes place over the weekend of September 15 to 17, the organisers have put together three days of music, entertainment, sports, and, of course, the legendary World Gurning Championship competition.

What is Egremont Crab Fair & World Gurning Championship?

Egremont Crab Fair is believed to be the oldest fair in the world, dating back to 1267. It is believed that the fair has been held continuously since this time, except for unavoidable interruptions during the War years, and more recently due to COVID.

The Lord of Egremont started a tradition of giving away crab apples, from where the fair gets its name. The tradition continues to this day with the Parade of the Apple Cart, where apples are thrown to the crowds on the Main Street.

Alongside this, a variety of entertainment and sports are held over the weekend to celebrate, including the World Gurning Championship. This year the main fair is split over three days.

Egremont Crab Fair Day Splits:

Friday:

Although there have been several events leading up to the big weekend things really kick off on Friday, September 15 as Egremont Main Street is closed from midday.

From 5pm on Friday, the Dancing in the Street event takes place at the stage adjacent to the War Memorial on Egremont Main Street and is hosted by Robbie Dee, with entertainment from Kerry Wier, Drum’s N Roses and others.

Alongside this, the pipe smoking will also take place on Friday. People can enter on the day and must be over 18.

Saturday:

On Saturday 16, events on Egremont Main Street and at the sports field start at 9am. Crabfest then begins at 1pm on the sports field with entertainment from Mac Busted, The Phonics, Danny Dunnery, Solomon, Coasts and Little Lies, among others.

Other key times for Saturday Main Street events include:

• Street racing – 9am to 10am
• Blessing the fair – 9.30am
• Vintage bikes and cars – 9.30am to 2pm
• Greasy Pole competition – 10.30am
• Riding the boundary – 11.30am
• Apple Cart – 12.30pm

Saturday evening hosts the return of the World Gurning Championship which kicks off at 6pm at Egremont Market Hall. This event is also hosted by the former CFM DJ Robbie Dee.

Singer Sarah, will be entertaining the crowd between 6pm and 6:45pm. Then you’ve got the junior talent contest, horning blowing and hunting and comic songs from 7pm.

The junior Gurning World Championship heats and final take place from 8pm, before the two main events finish the night – the Ladies’ World Gurning Championship at 9pm, and is followed by the Men’s World Gurning Championship at 10pm.

Sunday:

The weekend finishes with the new-for-2023 event, Dancing in the Field which takes place between 12:30pm and 8pm on Sunday, September 17 with entertainment from Fleur and the Flamingos, Jonny Donat and more.

Can I enter the World Gurning Championships?

Anyone wishing to take part in the World Gurning Championships can sign up on the day to take part, for free.

Crab Fair tickets and prices:

Many events over Crab Fair weekend are free, these include: Dancing in the Street, events on the main street and the World Gurning Championships. Crabfest and Dancing in the Field are not free events, but tickets do not need to be purchased in advance, you just pick them up on the day.

Prices for Crabfest are: General admission – £7, OAPs – £4, and Under 12s – £3

Prices for Dancing in the Field are: General admission – £7 and all kids go free.

Will I need cash for Crab Fair?

Fairgoers can pay with cash or card at the sports field and CrabFest bars and at the Main Street cocktail bar. Cash points are located on Egremont Main Street for other stalls that may require it.

Prices for drinks have been shared by organisers and start at £3.50 for spirits.

Taking public transport to Crab Fair:

If you’re travelling to the festival the following bus journey goes to and through Egremont:

• Stagecoach 30 Bus – Thornhill – Egremont – Whitehaven – Workington – Maryport

If you’re travelling from Cleator, Cleator Moor and Frizington areas and taking public transport either changing at Whitehaven or organising taxi travel will be easier.

• Stagecoach 30 Bus – Frizington – Cleator Moor – Whitehaven – Workington – Maryport

There is also a free bus running to get you from the Main Street to the sports field and back again.

Please not, there are no council-run or free car parks in Egremont available during Crab Fair weekend.

Where is the fun fair?

The Crab Fair fun fair has returned to the town taking its spot in the car park located behind Heron Foods supermarket and the Conservative Club, CA22 2DX. The fun fair is only open until Saturday evening.

Weather for Crab Fair weekend:

It seems England has well and truly left that early Autumn heatwave behind and things have really cooled down as on Friday, according to the Met Office, spells of rain will be lingering in places from the night before as they continue moving northward. It will turn mostly dry in the afternoon but remain cloudy for most, however.

Saturday will start rather cloudy with spells of light rain in places. It will turn dry and clearer as the day progresses. On Sunday, there will be increasingly cloudy conditions with spells of rain moving in from the south in the afternoon and evening.