THOUSANDS of people are expected to flock to Alcester High Street next week for the annual Mop Fair.
The event, which takes place in High Street on the first Tuesday in October and in recent years the Monday before as well, will see traditional fairground rides and quality food entertaining crowds.
Court Leet High Bailiff Vaughan Blake will open the fair by reading aloud the charter, which was granted by King Edward in 1292 to the Lord of the Manor of Alcester, Walter Beauchamp on Tuesday, October 6 at 4pm.
The agreement stated that Alcester Court Leet has the right to hold a mop fair in the town on the first Tuesday of October each year and this has been read annually for more than 700 years.
The event is also taking place on Monday, October 5 and the High Street will be closed to traffic throughout but most businesses will be open as normal.
Traditionally, a mop festival was a type of employment day where many workers would attend the event dressed in their best clothes and carrying an item representing their trade, anyone without a specific ability carried a mop.
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