Thousands of people are expected to attend a community fete this Bank Holiday weekend.
Patcham Duck Fayre, dubbed the “biggest community celebration” in the area by organisers, returns next week, promising more stalls than ever.
The annual event, on the playing fields of Patcham Junior and High Schools, will see visitors enjoy live entertainment, fairground rides, food and drink and a retro gaming experience.
Tracy Taylor, who has starred in plays and performances across the country, will also be returning as the event’s MC this year.
Organised by the 44th Brighton Scouts division along Old London Road in the 1980s and 90s, the village fayre was revived by the Patcham Duck Fayre Revival Group - a group of community volunteers that organise the event.
As many as 5,000 people are expected to attend the festivities next week.
Sally Booth, chairwoman of the Duck Fayre Revival Group, said: “This year, we have more stalls than ever, a fabulous retro gaming experience and the return of our ever popular dog show, funfair, tea tent, stage performers, circus skills and children’s entertainment.
“All this despite a rise in the cost of hiring essential equipment and publicity to make the fayre a success.
“The Duck Fayre has become a regular feature in the Patcham calendar, so we hope you will always save the last Sunday in August each year to join us.”
Although no one is quite sure why the fete was called a duck fayre, organisers suggest ducks from the pond outside All Saints’ Church in Chuch Hill used to wander down the road into the village, only to be chased back up the hill by residents with brooms.
Visitors have been encouraged to “waddle”, cycle or get public transport to the fayre as parking at the event is only available for stallholders and disabled people who request a space in advance.
Disabled parking spaces can be requested by emailing organisers at info@patchamduckfayre.co.uk and providing the name of the driver, car registration details and address.
The event returns on Sunday, August 27, between 11am and 4.30pm.
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