Why it’s great to welcome back Hull Fair
THE WALTON STREET EXPERIENCE IS LIKE NO OTHER
FORGET having a relaxing massage or watching an autumnal sunset while listening to gentle birdsong, if you’re looking for the ultimate sensual experience then a trip to Hull Fair is a must.
Sadly, my Hull Daily Mail colleague Lisa Baxter doesn’t appear to agree.
Earlier this week, she set out her reasons for steering clear of the annual extravaganza in Walton Street.
They mainly involved an inherited dislike of the Fair from her mum, a fear of losing her kids and splurging over £100 on a night out.
However, I beg to differ.
Even with Covid-19 still on the horizon, a visit to the Fair next week will undoubtedly be a life-affirming affair and one that is almost impossible to experience anywhere else.
So let’s welcome back the all-out assault on the senses that only Hull Fair can provide.
First off, the sight of dozens of illuminated rides and stalls twinkling in the fading evening light and the wonder-struck faces of kids perched on their parents’ shoulders looking at them all is one to behold and treasure.
Then come the sounds. From the background hum of the generators working overtime, to the full-throttle roar of the rollercoasters, the blaring songs colliding into each other and the screams of the punters being pitched into the air.
In some parts of the fairground you can almost surround yourself with a wall of noise and light that makes an Ibiza weeklee’s ender look like a tea-dance in Torquay.
Smells? Don’t get me started on the enticing waft of frying onions before moving on to taste the many traditional foodie delights on offer, from brandy snaps to candy floss.
Yes, I know the nutritious fayre served up there is not exactly what the dietician ordered but we can all have a night off once in a while, can’t we?
On a personal note, I don’t include Bob Carver’s chips in this as I’ve always found them to be too greasy. Sacrilege? No, just an honest opinion.
As far as touch, our Lisa got a bit windy thinking about holding onto railings and safety bars on rides in this new age of hand sanitisers, but a decent pair of gloves are part of the standard Hull Fair dress code in the Young household and I can imagine sanitisation stations will be everywhere this year.
Even with the gloves off, there’s nothing like cupping your hands around a hot drink on the way home.
Yes, it’s a bit mucky if we get Hull Fair weather, but just wrap up warm. As for the tat, there’s always plenty of that with Push Pop Bubble Fidgets destined to be this year’s big toy, if reports are to be believed.
Contrary to popular opinion, you don’t have to spend a fortune to enjoy yourself either - even with young children in tow. Just set yourself a sensible limit and stick to it.
The Fair also provides a never-ending platform for people-watching which costs nowt and is guaranteed to feature more laughs than a night round at Jenny and caravan in Gogglebox.
If, like me, you like a bit of colour there’s also an array of artwork to admire on the rides as an alternative to taking a trip to the Ferens.
You’re also almost certain to bump into someone you know or see a familiar face that famous photograph of the then Hull City manager Leonid Slutsky having a punt of the £1 -a-go Grand National horse racing stall a few years ago being a case in point.
True, some of the old-style attractions which have disappeared over the years are sorely missed.
George the Gentle Giant is sadly no longer with us, the Wall of Death last appeared some time ago, the days of boxers taking on all-comers are over and even goldfish were banned as prizes by Hull City Council in the late 1990s.
But, when it comes to an evening of full-blown off-the-scale working-class Hull entertainment, there’s still nothing to beat it. See you there!