One of the most popular forms of fairground entertainment, is the old fashioned Victorian style fair, or "Fayre" as it is sometimes spelt. Perhaps its a feeling of nostalgia for when Pax Britannica was at its height, or people could just be looking for something different from the loud music and flashing lights of the modern funfair. Whatever the reason for wanting a Victorian Funfair, there are a couple of immediate problems the event organisers comes up against when specifying traditional attractions.

To begin with there are very few actual Victorian era attractions still operating. Most have been replaced with modern equivalents, some have rotted away or been broken up for scrap, and some just can't meet modern health and safety requirements. Also the world is a vastly different place to what it was a hundred odd years ago. A popular game on the fairground was "Shoot The Rat", with real live rats as the targets, imagine trying to get that one past the animal rights people in the name of authenticity. Many of the treats people associate with fairgrounds, such as candy floss, weren't invented until after Queen Victoria shuffled off this mortal coil, so sticking to strictly authentic Victorian items limits your choice somewhat.

So does that mean that it isn't possible to present a Victorian funfair? If you want only genuine Victorian then probably not, however there is a flourishing section of the fairground industry that have available a wide range of "Victorian Style," equipment. This takes various forms, with larger items like the Carousel being a pretty good replica of the original rides, albeit constructed using modern methods and materials. Things like candy floss and mulled wine can be dispensed from vintage style hand carts, and games units are decorated with the traditional scrolled paintwork of a bygone era. Some of the better operators are quite happy to supply members of staff in period costume, and the overall effect can be quite realistic.

With the application of modern technology, these retro style fairs can easily meet modern health and safety requirements, so its possible to provide an old style fair, with all of the modern advantages of safety and reliability. However that’s no cause for complacency, the same vetting procedure should still be used when booking an fair, safety documents such as risk assessments and insurances should still be provided well before the event. If you chosen operator cannot supply part of the documentation, or tries to delay passing it you, then find someone else. In today’s no win no fee culture you cannot afford to take chances.

With a little common sense, and some compromise you can add a realistic period fair to enhance your event be it a corporate fun day or something like a winter Christmas market.

Hire A Victorian Funfair Here

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