Soham Pumpkin Fair Home Page

History:

The fair has been running since 1975 and is held annually on the last Saturday in September. Every year we raise money for local charities, while providing the community with an enjoyable day out.

In the morning, we are busy booking in entries for our various competitions; then in the afternoon we open to the general public for viewing.

Other attractions include Vintage Vehicles, Bygones, Charity Stalls, Arena Displays by local groups, a Funfair, Food stalls, Refreshments, Auction and Prize Giving Ceremony.

Also please note that we have to abide by the wishes of the Town Council and insist that no dogs (except for assistance dogs) are brought onto the recreation ground.

Welcome to

This year the Pumpkin Fair falls on Saturday 28th September and we have chosen the following theme:

According to a newspaper report of the time, the first event in 1975 was intended as a contest between allotment holders and Village College pupils, but it attracted many entrants from outside Soham with more than 80 Pumpkins being entered altogether.

The heaviest pumpkin of the day was grown by Mr L Setchell of Witcham with a weight of 62lb 14oz. Mr George Smith of Bushell Lane won the Soham prize with his pumpkin weighing 61lb 5oz.

There was also a flower-arranging competition and a decorated vegetable competition. Susan Taylor won the Flower arranging and Anita Mann won the Best Decorated Vegetable. Judges included A.E.Lawrence (Headmaster of Soham Village College) and Walter Gidney (Town Councillor and Fruit and Vegetable business owner).

Money was raised by stalls in the Church Hall that were run by various organisations such as the Brownies, Scouts and Over 60s to name a few, but also by individuals like a young chap called Jeremy Lane who sold books and games (he would have only been 12 at the time!)

Just over £170 was raised for the church roof restoration fund by the first fair.

News:

Once again, the Pumpkin Fair will be joining up with the Fire Station open day, so come along and enjoy both events!

Unfortunately we are currently unable to take card payments at the gates, all payments for entry must be in cash only. Due to the small number of cashpoints available in Soham, please make certain that you have sufficient funds for your visit before you leave home, as these cashpoints empty very quickly when there is a large event in town.

Stop Press! This year's colouring competition has been kindly created for us by Liz Johnston, and is now available here.

You can download and print a poster for this year's fair here.

Thanks to C E Fuller & Co for sponsoring 4 or our new banners this year, and also to Ben Hargreaves the Production Manager at Kituout Print Shop for getting them printed.