By Susan Shaw
The village of Braunston-in-Rutland is once again preparing to trade its usual tranquility for a day of vibrant celebration. On Monday, May 4th, from 10am to 4pm, the annual Braunston May Fayre returns, promising a quintessential family day out that blends traditional charm with lively local entertainment.
Visitors can expect the village to be a "whirl of activity." Cedar Street will be lined with a thriving street market, while the historic church will host talented local artisans for a dedicated craft market. For those seeking classic village fun, the Village Hall and "Games on the Green" will offer everything from a bouncy castle and fairground rides to the perennial favorites: the coconut shy and skittles.
The excitement this year is bolstered by an incredible lineup of raffle prizes, generously donated by local businesses. If you haven’t secured your tickets yet, they will be available on the day. Highlights of the "Grand Raffle" include:
A £125 dinner for two at No.23 in Uppingham.
£100 vouchers for local favorites such as Hambleton Hall, The Olive Branch, and Hitchens Barn.
A luxury Fortnum & Mason hamper, courtesy of James Sellicks Estate Agents.
All proceeds from the day support vital causes, the Braunston Church Repair Fund, the Mount Group RDA, and the Oliver Liddar Foundation.
The entertainment schedule is packed from start to finish. The Uppingham Jazz and Soul Band and local favorites Parafinalien will provide the soundtrack on the Street Stage, while the Rutland Youth Dance Academy (RYDA) will perform outside The Blue Ball.
No May Fayre is complete without its traditions; the Crowning of the May Queen takes place at 12:45pm, followed by a procession. Later in the afternoon, the village will gather for Maypole Dancing at 3:15pm.
For animal lovers, the Canine Fun Day & Dog Show near the Village Hall remains a high point of the event. Meanwhile, down at the river, the "famous" Braunston Duck Racing culminates in the Quack National at 2:30pm. (Organisers have kindly noted that no real ducks are harmed in the process)
Guests won't go hungry, with a diverse range of food from Farmer Lou, The Chilli Guys, and Gino’s Ice Cream. The Blue Ball will be serving Punjabi street food, and the Village Hall will provide the essential "Braunston experience": teas, coffees, and a legendary selection of home-baked cakes.
Main streets will be coned off. General parking is available on Brooke Road (£2 for the day). Use What3Words: branching.culling.clashes or clapper.others.recover.
Disabled Parking: Available in Hanbury Gardens (What3Words: returns.dunk.stroke).
Volunteers: The committee is still looking for helping hands for everything from "duck rescuing" to cake baking. If you’d like to get involved, please reach out to the organisers.
As always, the event is subject to the British weather, so keep an eye on the official Facebook page for live updates. Whether you're there for the jazz, the dogs, or the home-made cake, Braunston looks forward to welcoming you to the best Monday of the year
https://www.facebook.com/BraunstonMayFayre
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