The things we love to hate about Hull Fair

The phrase "all the fun of the fair" is all very well if you are a fan of the carnival atmosphere that prevails when Hull Fair rolls into town every October.

Walton Street car park is transformed by acres of rides, sideshows, food stalls and more, with competing music blaring out, flashing lights and the aromas of foodstuffs typical of the event. There is so much for families to enjoy - if they love what Hull Fair brings to the city.

So many people would miss the delights of the eight-day extravaganza if it failed to appear, as was the case in 2020, as a result of the pandemic. Even so, dedicated year-on-year fairgoers find their share of things to moan about.

We asked our readers what they love to hate about Hull Fair and these were their top responses.

‘Being whacked on the ankles every five seconds by a pram’

Hull Fair is obviously the perfect place for families and to some people it is never too early for the bairns to have their first taste of it. Unfortunately, this means that you may have your heels clipped by a pram or two as you try to navigate your way through the crowds.

If ever there is a showdown between yourself and a Hull parent with a pram I think we can all agree who is going to come off worse.

‘The crowds’

It’s a fair, and one of the biggest around, so what can we expect? Regardless, it does not mean we do not get frustrated when we have to squirm our way through the mass crowds that congregate there each year.

No-one can experience a night at Hull Fair without bumping into a few people.

‘Always saying it’s a waste of money’

‘No I’m not going this year, I can’t afford to’. Sure, we’ve all heard that one, but as soon as you hear the noise of the crowd enjoying themselves and the smells entering the nostrils, the temptation is hard to ignore.

Then, our hands are reaching into our pockets scrambling around for what change there is, "wasting" our money as usual.

‘The noise when you live down the street’

With Hull Fair comes a lot of noise and to most having a crowded fair on your doorstep would be unbearable. But those living nearby, particularly in Walton Street, have become accustomed to the sounds of the rides and the screaming fairgoers.

Some accept it as part of Hull's heritage and say it belongs to Walton Street. They say the sounds tend to "go over the top of the houses".

‘Hull Fair weather’

The grip of crossed fingers gets tighter every year as we pray for once that the weather is going to be good. Obviously, though, fair time in Hull falls in October and the chances of getting through the week, or even a day, without being drenched in some way by rain or having our faces frozen by the wind are slim.

Regardless of whatever the weather is many of us will not let a little bit of drizzle, fog or cold air get in the way of attending Hull Fair.

‘Traffic’

Traffic in Hull can be terrible enough any time of the year and the routes of Anlaby Road and Spring Bank become frustrating log-jams at Hull Fair time. But hang on a minute, these roads can be a bother most days of the year, we just want to find something to pin the blame on.

If anything, the most frustrating thing about traffic this time of year is finding a fairgoer has nicked your parking spot outside your house.

‘Crime rate’

As well as attracting many of Hull’s good citizens, the fair is also a place where some people will come to cause trouble. Hull Live often takes the opportunity to go on the beat with Hull’s bobbies to get a glimpse of what they have to deal with as they patrol Hull Fair.

Sometimes it is quiet but there is no guarantee it will be crime-free each year. Nonetheless, most of us will pass through the fair unscathed despite the attempts of the unsavoury few who are out to spoil it in some way.