End of our live updatespublished at 17:43 British Summer Time 27 September
Our live coverage has ended.
For more information on Goose Fair, visit the BBC News website.
Summary
Goose Fair was officially started at 16:00 BST with the traditional bell ringing
The fair is one of the oldest events of its kind in Europe, dating back to 1284
The build-up to this year's event has been marred by tram strike action
End of our live updatespublished at 17:43 British Summer Time 27 September
Basketball stallholder: I love Goose Fairpublished at 17:38 British Summer Time 27 September
Jake Garner
Reporter, BBC Radio NottinghamBasketball stallholder Jason, said it's only his second year at Goose Fair.
"I love it," he says. "I enjoy the music and the atmosphere.
"People can come along, have some fun and maybe win a prize."
Goose Fair: This weekend's weather forecastpublished at 17:28 British Summer Time 27 September
Asha Patel
BBC NewsAfter a wet, autumnal week in Nottingham, the sun is out for the first day of Goose Fair.
Saturday will be a dry and settled day, according to the BBC's weather forecast, with the rain set to return on Sunday afternoon.
A number of new rides this yearpublished at 17:07 British Summer Time 27 September
Asha Patel
BBC NewsGoose Fair is one of the largest travelling funfairs in Europe with more than 350 rides and attractions.
This year, the city council said it had a number of new rides including Hulk - XL Super Trooper, Aerospace, Equinox, and a classic vintage wheel.
There will also be lots of returning favourites such as Atmosfear, Matterhorn, Starflyer, Magic Mouse, and giant wheels giving panoramic views across the fair and the city beyond.
Among the Goose Fair classics will be the Waltzers, Dodgems, Gallopers and the Cake Walk - the only ride still operating that featured when the fair was held at Old Market Square, according to the council.
Image source, Nottingham City CouncilThe rides are spinningpublished at 16:50 British Summer Time 27 September
Jake Garner
Reporter, BBC Radio NottinghamAs soon as the bells rang, I was met by all the different sounds and smells of Goose Fair as vendors got ready for visitors.
The lights are all on, the rides are spinning and hundreds have stopped by already to start their weekend with some mushy peas and a go on the dodgems - probably better the other way around.
First dedicated SEND sessions at Goose Fairpublished at 16:39 British Summer Time 27 September
Asha Patel
BBC NewsFor the first time in the event's long history, Goose Fair will hold dedicated time slots for children and people with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND).
The event will reserve sessions on Sunday - and on 6 October, from 12:00 to 13:00 BST.
Lorna Dermody, head teacher at Mellers Primary School in nearby Radford, has welcomed the news.
She said: "Goose Fair is obviously very special in Nottingham, particularly in our school community because it's right on the doorstep.
"Strong smells, loud noises, lots of people [and] bright lights are really thrilling for some people, but for some people are really difficult.
"As a result families may want to avoid situations that may trigger their children to protect them, but it's important that inclusivity is at the heart of everything, and that families get the chance to all go and enjoy special events together."
Mushy peas will 'always be here'published at 16:24 British Summer Time 27 September
Jake Garner
Reporter, BBC Radio NottinghamWilliam Warwick and Terry Burdett are braced for visitors at their mushy peas stall, in the place it has been since 1946.
Mr Burdett (right) was just 15 when he first started going to the fair.
He said: "It’s just peas, mint sauce... that's it.
"One or two people always ask me if the peas will be back... I always say yes. We'll always be here."
Goose Fair hats 'make visitors smile'published at 16:12 British Summer Time 27 September
Jake Garner
Reporter, BBC Radio NottinghamMany visitors will recognise Kevin Sheldon – the Goose Fair hat man.
"I’ve been making these hats for years. They always go down well.
"They make me smile and they make the visitors of the fair smile," he said.
Goose Fair 2024 officially beginspublished at 16:09 British Summer Time 27 September
Jake Garner
Reporter, BBC Radio NottinghamGoose Fair is now officially open.
The Lord Mayor rang the bells at 16:00 BST as the gates opened. Thousands of visitors are expected to flock to the event across the next 10 days.
Dignitaries arrive for official openingpublished at 15:59 British Summer Time 27 September
Jake Garner
Reporter, BBC Radio NottinghamAs the special moment approaches, local dignitaries have arrived, led by the town crier.
Once the bells are rung, the party will take a tour of the fair.
'The weather's on our side'published at 15:56 British Summer Time 27 September
Jake Garner
Reporter, BBC Radio Nottingham
Michaela Derry's family has been running a hook-a-duck stall at Goose Fair for 57 years.
After what has been a gloomy week in Nottingham, it looks like the sun has come out just in time for the event.
Ms Derry said: “I’m very excited, the weather's on our side and the buses will fetch everyone in so I cannot wait.
"Seeing the kids try and catch the ducks and watch their parents laughing. That’s the most exciting thing for me."
Goose Fair official start is minutes awaypublished at 15:55 British Summer Time 27 September
Jake Garner
Reporter, BBC Radio Nottingham
I'm here at Goose Fair ahead of its opening, which is just minutes away now.
The opening of Goose Fair will be officially marked by the ringing of bells at 16:00 BST.
I'm in position to capture the moment the Lord Mayor rings the bells - a longstanding tradition of the event.
Parking at Goose Fairpublished at 15:46 British Summer Time 27 September
Asha Patel
BBC NewsParking will only be available at the Forest Recreation Ground site for Blue Badge holders, for £10 per car. There is no other public vehicle parking allowed on site, the city council said.
Visitors are not permitted to park in residential streets and the council has warned this will be “strictly enforced”.
Visitors can use city-centre car parks including Trinity Square, Victoria Centre, Q Park Talbot Street, Crowne Plaza Wollaton Street, Lace Market and Broad Marsh.
It takes approximately 30 minutes to walk to the Forest Recreation Ground from the city centre.
Visitors can also use Wilkinson Street and Park and Rides to park and walk to the site – which should take about 20 minutes.
How to get to Goose Fairpublished at 15:38 British Summer Time 27 September
Asha Patel
BBC NewsWith travel to the event affected by industrial action, Nottingham City Council has issued some advice on how to get there.
Trams
Trams are expected to run from 07:00 to 15:40 BST, every 15 minutes between Phoenix Park and Hucknall to Nottingham Station, and from 15:40 – 18:30, every 15 minutes only from Phoenix Park and Hucknall to Wilkinson Street.
There will be no trams to Clifton or Beeston and no service on Sunday, Friday 4 October, Saturday 5 October or Sunday 6 October before normal service is expected to resume on Monday 7 October.
Buses
Nottingham City Transport (NCT) will run frequent bus services on the Yellow, Brown, Purple, and Lime routes, stopping on Mansfield Road at Forest Gate.
Buses will run every three to four minutes on Friday and Saturday and every four to six minutes on Sunday.
In the city centre, these buses can be boarded at Parliament Street or Milton Street.
Taxis
Private hire taxis will be available to pick up and drop off in Bentinck Road.
Stallholders react to tram strikespublished at 15:34 British Summer Time 27 September
Asha Patel
BBC NewsSome stallholders have expressed concern about how the tram strikes could impact this year’s fair.
Lesly Barker operates two catering stalls and has been going to Goose Fair as part of a long-standing family tradition.
In response to the threat of industrial action, the 65-year-old said: “We already battled the weather, now we’re battling the fact that we’ve set all this up and people can’t get to us.”
Colin Pawley, aged 73, runs Animal Kingdom 2 and a football penalty game at the fair.
He said he was “extremely worried” about how the fair could be impacted.
However, hot chocolate and donut stall holder, Charlotte Newton, is confident the event won’t suffer as a result of the strike.
She said: “Everyone who has lived in Nottingham knows about Goose Fair so I don’t think the tram strike will affect the turnout too much.”
Goose Fair: What are the timings for each day?published at 15:22 British Summer Time 27 September
Asha Patel
BBC NewsGoose Fair opens soon, and closes tonight at 23:00 BST.
And these are the timings for the subsequent days of the event:
- Saturday 28 September: 12:00 – 23:00
- Sunday 29 September: 12:00 – 21:00
- Monday 30 September: 16:00 – 22:30
- Tuesday 1 October: 16:00 – 22:30
- Wednesday 2 October: 16:00 – 22:30
- Thursday 3 October: 16:00 – 22:30
- Friday 4 October: 16:00 – 23:00
- Saturday 5 October: 12:00 – 23:00
- Sunday 6 October: 12:00 – 21:00
Where did the fair get its name?published at 15:18 British Summer Time 27 September
Asha Patel
BBC NewsIt's thought the name probably came from the hundreds of geese that were transported from Lincolnshire to Nottingham to be sold in the earlier days of the fair.
However, the event's long history means no-one knows for certain how it got its name.
The fair has had its own mascot since the 1960s, fondly known as "Goosey", who is placed on the Mansfield Road roundabout each year.
Thousands expected at Goose Fairpublished at 15:10 British Summer Time 27 September
Asha Patel
BBC NewsThe event at the city's Forest Recreation Ground starts today and will be open to the public from 16:00 BST.
Thousands of people are expected to travel to the city for the popular 10-day event.
Image source, GettyA brief history of the eventpublished at 15:04 British Summer Time 27 September
Asha Patel
BBC NewsNottingham’s Goose Fair has a long history in the city, with most historians agreeing it probably started just after 1284, when the Charter of King Edward I referred to city fairs in Nottingham.
The centuries-old event started as a trade event and once held a reputation for its high-quality cheese. Today, the fair is known for its rides, games and food stalls.
In the 1920s, the fair was moved from Market Square in the city centre, to its current location at the Forest Recreation Ground.
Throughout its history, a few things have come in the way of the popular event – such as the plague in 1646 and the two world wars. More recently, the coronavirus pandemic saw the fair called off in 2020 and 2021.
This year, although the fair is going ahead, transport to the event is likely to be difficult as hundreds of tram workers take part in a walkout.
Build-up to fair marred by tram strike actionpublished at 14:58 British Summer Time 27 September
Alex Smith
BBC News Online
The build-up to the event - one of the oldest fairs in Europe - hasn't been straightforward.
The fair, at the Forest Recreated Ground, is served by Nottingham's tram network, which will be severely disrupted over the next 10 days due to strike action.
More than 200 tram workers - including drivers, maintenance teams and security staff - have walked out in a row over pay.
A "severely reduced" service will be in place, with some unable to run and some running at altered times.
This will also affect this weekend's Robin Hood Half Marathon, with a number of roads due to be closed on Sunday.