Denise Hall: Sounds of summer bring a ray of cheer

Q&A: Sam Beshoff 

The earliest record of fairs and festivals goes way back, as far as neolithic times. Later, the Romans made fairs public holidays. By the Middle Ages, many fairs had taken on a more celebratory air. These events were often tied to the Saint’s Day of a local church.

Due to the vast amounts of people these events attracted, and the fact that the sale of ale was plentiful, it is hardly surprising that they were often the scenes of riots and disturbances and eventually, the privilege of holding a fair was restricted to those who could secure a royal charter.