Rides and stalls are ready for customers at Abingdon's Michaelmas Fair.

Showmen arrived in time for the weekend to set up the annual fair in Ock Street and the market place.

The fair, which fills the length of Ock Street, is thought to be the longest street fair in Europe. 

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It runs today and tomorrow, before the fair is removed on Tuesday night, allowing traffic in the town to return to normal in time for the rush-hour on Wednesday.

Stalls and rides are expected to open from about 2pm in time for pupils coming out of school.

Last night there was a blessing and dedication service in the market place for the fair.

Traffic diversions and parking restrictions are now in place.

By law, the Michaelmas fair must take place annually on the Monday and Tuesday falling first before October 11 in the centre of Abingdon, covering Ock Street, High Street and the Market Place.

Oxford Mail: The Michaelmas FairA town council statement said: "The Michaelmas Fair and the Runaway Fair began as a way to hire labour in the period after the Black Death in 1348, when the population fell by upwards of 40 per cent, giving workers more power to seek work elsewhere. 

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"Skilled workers would carry the tools of their trade over their shoulder, while unskilled workers would carry a mop instead, which is why the fair is sometimes known as the ‘mop fair’."

The Runaway Fair takes place a week after the Michaelmas Fair.

Oxford Mail: Both fairs are organised by Bob Wilsons Fun Fairs.

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About the author 

Andy is the Trade and Tourism reporter for the Oxford Mail and you can sign up to his newsletters for free here. 

He joined the team more than 20 years ago and he covers community news across Oxfordshire.

His Trade and Tourism newsletter is released every Saturday morning. 

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