Maldon Vintage Christmas Fayre
Thursday 28th November 2019
4.30pm to 9pm
All visitors welcome
In 2019, Maldon’s Vintage Christmas Fayre will take place on Thursday 28th November and this year the timing of the event has been extended so that trading will start at 4.30pm until 9pm. The theme will be the Swinging Sixties.
In 2017, the Fabulous Forties came to Maldon. Despite the cold, Maldon Town Centre buzzed with excitement, as the Mayor paraded through the town followed by the Colchester Pipe Band, to switch on the Christmas Lights to open the Christmas Fayre. Once the lights were ablaze, more visitors than ever flocked into the town centre where there were over 60 stalls, selling goods ranging from Christmas trees and wreaths, decorations and crafts, cheese and pies, artisan breads and cakes, chocolates, candles, clocks and wood carving and sweets, as well as a range of stalls supporting local charities. Children queued with excitement to visit Father Christmas in the spectacular Winter Wonderland in the garden at the rear of Brights Path. Revellers enjoyed acts on the two entertainment stages, including excerpts from Dad’s Army from the Maldon Drama Group, the Big Sing and Saint FM. The Hotsie-Totsies entertained the crowds with songs from the period which added to the Forties atmosphere, together with a lively jiving display.
Prizes were awarded to Coe’s for the best dressed large shop window display, and to the Salvation Army Shop and Flower Patch for the best dressed small shop window display. Best Overall Christmas Display was awarded to Brights Path.
In 2018 the theme was Maldon’s Rock ‘n’ Roll Christmas Fayre and throughout the evening, the two stages rocked with performances from Darren Page and Marc Robinson in their Roy Orbison and Buddy Holly Tribute Act, Julie Jive, the Big Sing SOUL, the Lee Live Trio and Just Us. Members of the Theatretrain Stage School performed excerpts from Grease and Songs from the Juke Box on the High Street and Dark Horse Morris delighted with their traditional morris dances outside the Moot Hall.
Visitors were able to wander around the 80 stalls lining the High Street, sampling artisan food and drinks, and enjoying the many crafts and gifts on display. In the Town Hall, younger people enjoyed an electronic games night. Many of the high street shops were open, as well as the wide range of cafes, tea rooms, bars and restaurants. Members of the Maldon Drama Group mingled with the crowds as the yellowcoats from “Hi-de-Hi” and organised egg and spoon races.
The Town Mayor awarded prizes to Brights Path for the best dressed large business display, with the Kings Head Centre as runners up, and to Talking Flowers for the best dressed small business display with Two Become One as runners up.