What Are Mop Fairs?
When one hears the phrase mop fair with a modern ear, you can be forgiven for picturing an event with mops of all shapes and sizes decorating a town square - and you know what? You’re not far off with that guess.
Mop fairs get their name from when towns would hold events where people would look for work, to advertise their trade shepherds would wear pieces of wool in their buttonholes, cow farmers a piece of straw and maids would hold mops - hence the nickname “Mop Fair”.
These annual events are thought to have been taking place as early on as the 1300s, so one may say it’s a British tradition that many have forgotten.
With the huge crowds that these fairs attracted, trade followed them as people always needed refreshment and entertainment. By the 19th century and the advent of the industrial revolution, mop fairs were becoming more about the fun and socialising than the serious nature of finding work. Rides like carousels and fairground stalls became a common sight at them, and that’s what we have in place of mops and straw in the modern mop fair!
Mop fairs in the late 19th and early 20th century had some features that you wouldn't see nowadays, such as performing animals or tasteless exhibitions. In 1930, an elephant escaped from Monmouth Mop Fair!
Modern Mop Fairs in the UK
Mop fairs are still held across the country, with notable ones in places such as Tewkesbury, Southam, Stratford-up-on-Avon and Warwick. Much less of the emphasis on job hunting and a lot more on the fun and games - though you still may see the odd bit of wool in a buttonhole or the occasional mop - these traditional events still attract the crowds and are wonderful family friendly occasions that bring the whole community together.
We Are Tricycle absolutely love these events and have been supplying fetes and funfairs across the UK for years, so we’re proud to be helping carry on a tradition that has been going on for hundreds of years. We can’t wait for the next Mop Fair we attend, where we’ll supply the joy and laughter of carnival games like the coconut shy and sharpshooter.
We of course will be ready to bring the bigger attractions to the event too so the thrill seekers can get their fill. Waltzers, bungee trampolines, Helter Skelters and more are a traditional stable but we also have some white knuckle rides that will really get the adrenaline going… just make sure you have the candy floss after the ride!
If you’ve not been to a mop fair the there’s no time like the present, what have you got to lose? You’ll miss out on a great day if you don’t go! They’re fun for all ages and their longevity in British culture is a testament to how brilliant they are at bringing people together!
So gather you best pals, your family and take a trip to this quirky past time of British tradition. We Are Tricycle will see you there for all the fun of the mop fair!
If you're looking to hire funfair rides for a mop fair, then please speak with the We Are Tricycle team today. Check out our contact page to see how to get in touch.
