A small market town in Lincolnshire is set to revive a centuries-old tradition this year in a boost to the local economy and culture.
The Medieval Onion Fair will be given a new lease of life as it will return to Grantham this October.
The fair’s revival forms part of a wider programme of market activities being introduced to the area around the same time.
Originally dating back several centuries, the event is now being brought back to modern audiences through a series of modern markets.
Dating back to around 1484, the town was given the right to hold a weekly market and two annual fairs by order of a Royal Charter granted by King Richard III.
The historic event originally attracted pilgrims who travelled to view sacred relics housed at St Wulfram’s church.
The contemporary iteration of the fair promises a range of onion-centric attractions for visitors.
Locals are likely to be reduced to tears by the event as they try their hand at an onion-eating contest and watch onion shows.
Locals could be brought to tears as the revived Medieval Onion Fair will feature onion-eating contests
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SOUTH KESTEVEN DISTRICT COUNCIL
Residents and visitors will also be in for a culinary delight, being able to purchase a variety of dishes made with onions.
There will also be music, street performers, and historical reenactments.
The October fair represents one component of an expanded calendar of market events being organised by South Kesteven District Council for the town centre.
Additional festivities throughout the year will include an Easter crafts fair, a spring Steampunk-themed market, commemorations marking VE and VJ Day, a Lincolnshire Day celebration, and Diwali festivities.
The new events will run alongside the monthly farmers’ market and craft market
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SOUTH KESTEVEN DISTRICT COUNCIL
These new occasions will complement the existing monthly farmers’ and craft markets already operating in the town.
Council leader Ashley Baxter emphasised the importance of heritage to the region.
“We very much value our traditions in Lincolnshire and our outdoor markets here in South Kesteven remain one of the top draws for visitors,” he said.
“This calendar of events is part of the action plan to put them on the map by giving people from within and outside the local area a reason to visit our towns, spend their time and money here and see all we have to offer.
“Free town centre wifi, our existing history and heritage plus specially-curated events are knitting together to improve footfall.
“We look forward to welcoming everyone to our rather special event days.”
The revived event will mean Grantham will hold one of the only onion-specific fairs in Britain.
Other events, such as the Newent Onion Fayre, which could trace its roots back to the 13th century under Henry III, no longer run after insufficient interest from stallholders and sponsors following the Covid pandemic.