Visit the Fiesta
Website for details of these events.
The Pancake Race (Shrove
Tuesday - March)
Shrove Tuesday is celebrated in Olney England like
nowhere else on earth! Townsfolk gather to see the original and
unique Olney Pancake Race which is now world famous. Traffic stops
while the competitors make their 415 yard dash from the Bull Hotel
(old coaching Inn) to the Parish Church
of St.Peter & St. Paul. The race is run in competition
with Liberal, in Kansas USA.
Floral Fiesta Week (July)
Annual Carnival, Funfair, Raft Race, Quiz Night,Crafts and Floral
Displays, Floral Hanging Baskets around the Town.
The origins of Olney Floral Fiesta go back to
January 1965, when members of Olney Parish Council felt that the
Town should hold an annual event to include as many townsfolk
as possible. It was decided to have a floral theme and create
a carnival atmosphere lasting several days. A meeting was held
where all the recognised organisations in the Town were invited
to discuss the proposal. It was agreed that a floral display could
be arranged in the form of window boxes on houses and shops, complimented
by hanging baskets in various parts of the Town. At a later meeting
a committee was formed, and for the first year a one day event
was held with a carnival parade.Encouraged by the support and
enthusiasm generated by the townsfolk, the committee decided that
in future years it should be extended to week long event. The
original idea was, and still is to this day, that the event should
be put on by the Town, for the Town. The seeds of an idea sown
in 1965 are still flourishing today, as the Fiesta goes from strength
to strength, becoming one of the main events in the Town calendar.
Fiesta Fireworks (November)
Funfair, huge bonfire and display of fireworks,
bar and a hog roast.
Dickens of a Christmas
(December)
Christmas Market, held every year, a very special
event. All the traders dress up in Victorian clothes. Father Christmas,
street entertainers, mulled wine, hog roasts and street music
all add to the atmosphere. Three Craft fairs run concurrently
around the town (Bull Hotel, Working Men's Club and Olney Centre).
Most of the shops around the Market Place will be open. Come and
do your Christmas shopping.
|