Cambridge’s Midsummer Fair, which traditionally takes place in the last week of June, has been delayed for a second time by the coronavirus pandemic. 

The decision to postpone the event in 2021 was announced in a press release yesterday by the Cambridge City Council and the Eastern Region Section of the Showmen's Guild of Great Britain. They cited “uncertainty around continued coronavirus restrictions, and concerns over whether the fair could operate in a Covid-safe manner” as a contributing factor to the decision.

One of the oldest and largest fairs in England, its foundation dates back to a charter granted by King John in 1211. This is the second consecutive year that the 800-year-old Midsummer Fair has been postponed, following its cancellation in 2020. 

The current roadmap out of lockdown in the UK states that from the 21st of June all legal limits on social contact may be removed. The Fair had been expected to take place on Midsummer Common from the 23rd to the 28th of June this year. 

Chairman of the Eastern Section of the Showmen's Guild of Great Britain, Charles Barwick said of the decision: "We have worked very closely with Cambridge City Council and agree at this time of uncertainty it will be safer for everyone concerned to postpone.

Fiona Bryant, Strategic Director at Cambridge City Council, described the choice as “responsible”. 

“It may be that we consider running a fair at a later date or failing that we look forward to coming back to Cambridge in 2022, hopefully in safer and more prosperous times. We thank all the public for their continued support of this event.”