The Egremont Crab Fair and World Gurning Championship is finally here as the lead-up events are already underway – so here’s all you need to know about the big weekend.

The Crab Fair weekend takes place on Friday 20 and Saturday 21, September, with dozens of events taking place – including the World Gurning Championships.

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.

Crab Fair weekend day splits:

Friday:

Though there have been several events leading up to the big weekend things really kick off on Friday, September 20 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 Egremont’s own Stella the Fella.

The Ultimate Shania Experience, Boomin, Jenny Ball, Sneeky Finch and Grace Savage are all performing alongside the Committed to Rock choir as a warm-up.

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

Saturday:

On Saturday 21, events on Egremont Main Street and at the sports field start at 9am. On the Main Street events include:

• 9am to 10am Street racing starting at Dent View.
• Sponsored by GoLocal stores, Orgill
• 9:30am Blessing the fair
• 9am to 2pm Street market
• 9am to 10pm Fairground
• 9:30am to 2pm Vintage bikes and cars
• 10:30am Greasy pole
• 11:30am Riding the boundary
• 12:30pm The parade of the apple cart
• 9am to 1pm Main Street stage entertainment
• to include local dancing groups and music

Over on the sports field events include:

• 9am Horse events start
• 11am Horticulture tent judging
• 10am Dog Show events – hosted by Graham Hogg
• 12:30pm Sports events start
• 12:30pm Bee Unique arena opens
• 2:30pm Cumberland and Westmorland Wrestling
• 1pm Ferret Show events start – hosted by Jane Butt
• 3pm Wheelbarrow race
• 3:20pm Egg throwing
• 3:45pm Children’s pets.
• 4pm Novelty dog show
• All day: Walking with alpacas, children’s activities, walkabout street entertainers, fair rides and market stalls

Crab Fest starts at 1pm with performances from: Almost Pink, DJ Ratman, Misfitz, Jameson Covers Band, Collision, Danny Dunnery Band, The Antics and The Mustangz.

In the evening the World Gurning Championships will take place hosted by Kevin Brown and with a performance by Newton & Shacks at 6pm.

• The talent show, horn blowing and hunting songs begin at 7pm.
• The junior World Gurning Championship takes place at 8pm.
• The womens World Gurning Championship takes place at 9pm.
• The World Gurning Championship takes place at 10pm.

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 is not free event, 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

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 will not be a free bus running between the Main Street to the sports field and back again this year, unfortunately.

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.

This opens prior to the weekend, on Wednesday, September 18 at 5pm.

Weather for Crab Fair weekend:

After all the uncertainty with the weather, it seems Cumbria is finally getting that early autumn heatwave as the weather is set to warm up for Crab Fair.

Temperatures are due to reach 21 degrees celsius in the day – but cooling down to 15 degrees celsius by the end of Dancing in the Street.

Saturday is set to bring the sun too with temperatures reaching 20 degrees celsius by midday. In the evening the temperature will cool to 15 degrees celsius for the Gurning and the end of Crab Fest.

The Crab Fair programme can be found here.