Final preparations being made for annual May Fayre

WOKINGHAM Lions Club is putting the finishing touches to this year’s May Fayre.

The fundraising mega event transforms a borough town centre into a colourful mix of fairground rides, stalls and street performers, and draws thousands of visitors.

It raises money for borough charities and organisations, and gives local groups the opportunity to boost their funds and raise awareness of their activities through fairground stalls.

This year Wokingham Lions also celebrate their 50th Anniversary.

Wokingham Lions president, Lyn Baily said: “This is a very special year for us.

“We held our first May Fayre in the mid 1990s.

“The event has always been a great success, and is known far and wide.

“It provides a free day out for borough families and a chance for local charities to boost their income.

“This year is no exception, and the variety and number of stalls and events continues to grow as do the number of visitors.”

Ms Baily thanked Lions Club members and supporters who give their time to make the event such a success, especially May Fayre chairman Andy Goffin and his team.

Andy Goffin said: “The Wokingham May Fayre is one of the largest street fairs in the south of England, providing a low-cost and fun event.

“It’s a wonderful day out for families and people of all ages, with many local groups performing, more than 150 Stalls, a kiddies funfair, a children’s zoo, morris dancers, ferret racing, and street entertainers including jugglers and stilt walkers.”

Two stages in Market Place and Elms Field will offer a wide variety of entertainment including, St Sebastian Brass Band, the Acoustic Jass Jazz Band, Steppin’Out Stars of Tomorrow Theatre School, EBOS (East Berkshire Operatic Society), The Dance Zone, Berkshire Bedlam Morris Dancers, Phoenix Ukulele Band, Bharatanatyam Classical Indian Dance Display, Comedy Jugglers, Chance to Dance (for people with additional needs), Almost Alice, Artemis, O’Gara School of Irish Dance, and Wokingham Rock Choir.

Wokingham Lions Club also thanks Circus Scene for arranging the event entertainment.

The event will take place on Monday, May 6, with stalls and attractions along Denmark Street, and on Elms Field.

Denmark Street will be closed to traffic for the duration of the fair, which will run from 10am until 5pm.