Fair finds new home after park churned up

BBC A churned-up muddy field in Central Park, Boston. In the background are bare trees and red-brick houses.BBC
Central Park was damaged during the fair in October 2023. Organisers covered the costs of repairs

A fair has moved to a new home after causing damage to a park.

Playing fields in Central Park were churned up last October when Boston Fair coincided with Storm Babet.

This year's event, which opens on Saturday and runs until 27 October, will be staged in Wide Bargate car park.

Albert Evans, the organiser, said it was "a good move" and the car park was "hard as a rock".

The park became waterlogged last year after the storm brought heavy rain.

"It took us three days to get everything and everyone off the park," said Mr Evans, who has organised the fair since 2021.

"Everyone worked hard to get as little damage as possible, but it was unavoidable."

He was "100% confident" that this year's event would be a success.

It is the first time the October fair is being staged at the car park and it means a few attractions will be unable to attend "because the car park won't fit everyone".

"It's a bit disappointing. We want to make sure we facilitate them next year," Mr Evans said.

It is anticipated that the event will return to the car park next year and potentially could expand to a neighbouring site.

The fair will be open daily from 13:00 to 20:00, with a later closing time of 21:00 on Friday and Saturday.

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