Ulster American Folk Park announce Fair Days

Coinciding with the Jubilee Bank Holiday weekend, the Ulster American Folk Park has announced 'fair days' are ahead.

Four Victorian Market Days, which will take place daily at the park from June 1st to 4th, will offer visitors a fascinating insight into a typical market day of the Victorian era.

For the standard entry fee, visitors will be able to stroll down the 19th century street and witness the sights, smells and sounds of a busy market day in a typical major town during that time with stallholders, shopkeepers, travelling journeymen and entertainers in period costume.

The street will feature a number of original shops from various towns around Ulster including Hill's Chemist, Blair's Printers and Reynold's Ropeworks. A series of dramatic role-plays and demonstrations will take place in these exhibit buildings as part of the Victorian Market Days. Vignettes or scenarios will be repeated throughout the day with beggars and pickpockets on the loose and the poignant reading of the emigrant letter. Livestock and poultry will be on display over the weekend.

Stalls and tables will be set out displaying a selection of goods which might have been sold at this type of market. Goods will not be for sale, but tasters of traditional foods will be available. Produce on display will include ginger bread, traditional home churned butter, bread cooked in the pot oven, corn craft, basket making, heather bisums, pancakes, hand woven cloth and tapestry samplers.

A spokesperson for the park said: "The street will be brought to life with a range of colourful costumed characters, including a fortune teller, a horse trader and a travelling magician. For younger visitors we are holding traditional Punch & Judy Shows on Shipbuoy Street each afternoon.

"Adding atmosphere to the event, Reilly's pub will have traditional musicians in the snug, while other exhibit buildings including the Post Office, Blair's Printer’s and Hill's Chemist Shop, will be utilised throughout the event, with a wide range of demonstrations.

"The Victorian Market Day" promises to entertain and fascinate visitors of all ages."

(SP)